DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team swept the visiting Charlotte 49ers Saturday afternoon, 3-0 and 11-3(6), at UD Softball Stadium. With the wins, Dayton improves to 14-15 on the season and 7-2 in Atlantic 10 play while Charlotte falls to 14-18 overall and 2-6 in league action.

On the day, sophomore Tiffany Ricks went 4-for-6 at the plate with two doubles and two runs scored and freshman Kennedy Haynes knocked out her first career home run.

GAME ONE: Dayton 3, Charlotte 0 BOX SCORE

The first game was a defensive battle through the first three and a half innings as both teams struggled to muster some offense. The Flyers were able to get on the board first in the fourth frame when sophomore Natalie Mariano led off the inning with a single and was moved over on a sacrifice bunt by senior Kathleen Maloof. Junior Kasi Vazquez’ sacrifice fly-out got Mariano to third and she was able to come home on a ball handling error by the Niner shortstop.

UD held on to the 1-0 lead through the bottom of the sixth when the Flyers led off the frame with back-to-back doubles, including Mariano’s RBI extra-base-hit that scored senior Leah Sitter. Maloof’s sac-bunt moved Mariano to third and Vazquez brought her home with a double to right field. The Flyers were able to hold on for the 3-0 shutout win over the 49ers.

Sophomore Kayla English (8-7) earned the win for the Flyers after tossing a complete-game, two-hitter. She recorded a career-high-tying 11 strikeouts while walking four.

Katie Watkins (8-11) was charged with the loss for the Niners after also throwing a complete game. She gave up two earned runs on six hits and struck out nine batters while walking one.
 

GAME TWO: Dayton 11, Charlotte 3 (6) BOX SCORE

Charlotte was able to score first in the second game on Briana Gwaltney’s solo home run. Dayton answered with a four-spot in the second as the Flyers batted through the order. Vazquez had a lead-off walk and made it to third on a double by Ricks. Freshman Kirsten Bartlett replaced Vazquez on the bag and was plated on a single from sophomore Jordan Jennings. Freshman Paige Rhodes' walk loaded the bases for Haynes whose single brought home Ricks. Jennings and Rhodes scored on the next play as pinch hitter freshman Krista Gustafson reached on a Niner error to round out the scoring for the Flyers and UD took the 4-1 lead into the third.

The 49ers got back a run in the third after putting together three singles to score Natalie Capone. The Flyers again rallied for four runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by junior Dana Trotta's three-run blast to left field that also brought home Ricks and Jennings. Haynes' solo shot to left gave Dayton the 8-2 advantage after four complete.

Both teams scored a run in the fifth but the game would finish early as the Flyers scored two in the sixth to satisfy the run rule. Trotta doubled to left center bringing across Vazquez and pinch runner junior Rachel Archer to give Dayton its final margin, 11-3.

Freshman Emily Froment (4-1) was credited with the win after putting in 4.0 innings of work. She allowed two earned runs on six hits and struck out one while walking one. Junior Alysha Isaacson closed out the game for the Flyers, throwing the final two innings.

Chelsea Lisikatos (5-6) was charged with the loss for Charlotte. She worked the first 2.2 innings in the circle for the Niners, giving up six earned runs. Watkins threw the remaining 2.2 innings for Charlotte.

Dayton returns to action on Tuesday, April 9 when it hosts cross-town foe Wright State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at UD Softball Stadium and admission is FREE!