In the first game, MVNU (9-3) took advantage of an error in the top of the second inning to score three unearned runs. Sophomore first baseman Michelle Gastin (left), junior outfielder Whitney Clark, and freshman second baseman Kristin Kurelic each had a single in the frame as the Lady Cougars built a 3-0 lead.

The Quakers (6-8), who had a three-game winning streak snapped, got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fifth inning when Cory Sheets ripped a two-out double.

Both teams scored a run in the sixth inning with MVNU still holding a 4-2 advantage. Freshman pinch hitter Liz Misich drove in the Lady Cougars’ run with a ground out in her first plate appearance of the year, while an error led to Wilmington’s run.

After MVNU extended its lead to 5-2 on Gastin’s two-out single in the top of the seventh inning, the Quakers pulled within 5-3 on Franny Spangler’s two-out single to plate Sheets, who had doubled earlier in the inning. However, Amanda Smith struck out swinging to end the game as the Lady Cougars prevailed.

Senior right-hander Kristin Eyerman (right) improved to 5-0 on the season as she scattered six hits, four walks, and three runs (two earned) over 6.1 innings with three strikeouts. Junior right-hander Candace White notched her second save as she recorded the final two outs with one strikeout while allowing one hit.

Smith (4-4) took the loss for Wilmington as she gave up seven hits, five walks, and five runs (two earned) over seven innings with five strikeouts.

Offensively, Gastin and Kurelic both had two hits to lead MVNU, while Sheets went 3-for-4 and Spangler went 2-for-3 for the Quakers.

In the second game, the Lady Cougars jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Gastin’s two-out, two-run double.

After Wilmington closed the gap to 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning, MVNU pushed its lead to 6-1 with four runs (three of which were unearned) in the top of the second inning as the Quakers committed two errors. Sophomore shortstop Tasha Konkle, sophomore catcher Caitlin Murphy, and sophomore designated player Staci Graham each had an RBI in the inning.

Graham and Gastin both added a run-scoring single in the top of the fourth inning to make it 8-1, and the Lady Cougars tacked on an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning to move in front 9-1.

Wilmington avoided being run-ruled with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to close the gap to 9-5 on four hits and one MVNU error. However, the Lady Cougars escaped further damage with a line-drive double play to end the inning as sophomore right-fielder Lauretta Wallace caught a line drive and doubled up the runner on first base.

In the top of the seventh inning, MVNU closed out the scoring with three more runs to increase the Lady Cougars’ lead to 12-5. Sophomore outfielder Leslie Banichar had an RBI-triple, Murphy followed with a run-scoring single, and junior third baseman brought Murphy in on a sacrifice fly.

White (4-2) earned the victory on the mound for MVNU as she scattered six hits, five walks, and five runs over seven innings with eight strikeouts.

Spangler (2-4) suffered the loss as she allowed 10 hits, one walk, and nine runs (only two earned) over four-plus innings. Smith tossed the final three innings and gave up seven hits, two walks, and three runs.

Graham (left) went 4-for-4 to lead the Lady Cougars’ season-high 17-hit attack. Banichar added three hits, while Konkle, Gastin, Clay, and Clark finished with two hits apiece. Sheets and Smith had two hits each for the Quakers.

MVNU is scheduled to return to action on Friday when the Lady Cougars will host Kenyon College in a non-conference doubleheader that is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. at Cougar Field.