EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Johnson & Wales split a non-conference double header against intra-state rival Roger Williams University Softball at Pierce Field on Thursday afternoon.  JWU posted a 3-0 win in the opener while Roger Williams salvaged the split with an 8-0 win in game two.

After battling through three scoreless innings, JWU got all the offense they needed in the bottom of the fourth after a three run home run by junior Tayla Gardner (Orangeburg, N.Y.) put the Wildcats up 3-0.  Junior Taylor Cwalinski (Jackson, N.J.) notched the complete-game two-hit shutout, striking out nine in seven innings of work.  Cwalinski and freshman Cynthia Proby (Bremerton, Wash.) each picked up a pair of hits in the victory for JWU.

In the nightcap, Roger Williams capitalized on a miscue from JWU to go ahead 1-0 in the top of the first.  The visiting Hawks upped their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third on an RBI single by sophomore Alana Peoples (Scarborough, Maine).  RWU plated four unearned runs in the top of the fifth and capped off the scoring in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by sophomore Caroline Atkinson (Milford, Mass.).  Atkinson came around to score on a single by freshman Delaney Burns (Hudson, N.H.) en route to the 8-0 victory. 

Senior Lauren Tierney (Middleboro, Mass.) went 2-for-3 with a pair of run in the win for RWU.  Freshman Rachel Milano (Eastchester, N.Y.) picked up the win in the pitching circle, going six scoreless innings while allowing seven hits with two strikeouts.  Junior Robyn Ziegler (Doylestown, Pa.) went 2-for-3 in the setback for JWU.

With the split Johnson & Wales is now 20-16 overall while Roger Williams improves to 16-16 on the year. The Wildcats will return to action on Friday, April 19th when they travel to Mount Ida for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference twin bill at 3:00 p.m.

- Release courtesy of the Johnson & Wales University Sports Information Department