NEWPORT, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Softball team earned a dominant sweep over Salve Regina on Tuesday afternoon at Toppa Field, taking game one 8–1 before completing the sweep with an 11–5 victory in game two.
Game One – RWU 8, Salve Regina 1
Roger Williams controlled the opener from the start, scoring in the first inning when Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) doubled home Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.) for the early lead.
The Hawks added another run in the second on a sacrifice fly from Skye Merrow (Hudson, N.H.) and continued to build throughout the game. After a quiet middle stretch, RWU broke things open in the seventh inning with a five-run outburst. Starratt and Madison Moran (Attleboro, Mass.) each delivered RBI doubles, while McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.), Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.), and Merrow all drove in runs to cap the rally.
At the plate, Roger Williams tallied 15 hits, led by Lucy Maurao (Holliston, Mass.) (3-for-5) and Merrow (3-for-3 with two RBI). Starratt added two doubles and two RBI, while Foley chipped in with two RBI as well.
In the circle, Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.) was dominant, tossing six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out four to earn the win.
Game Two – RWU 11, Salve Regina 5
The second game saw more offense from the Hawks, but not without a challenge from the Seahawks.
Roger Williams struck first again in the opening inning, with Maurao driving in Williams after a leadoff triple. The Hawks added another run in the fourth before Salve Regina answered with a four-run inning to take a 4–2 lead.
RWU responded immediately in the fifth, as Starratt blasted a three-run home run to put the Hawks back on top, 5–4. From there, Roger Williams took control, erupting for five runs in the sixth inning. RBI hits from Madison Tucholski (Massapequa, N.Y.), Sophia Bruno (Sandwich, Mass.), and others extended the lead and gave the Hawks breathing room.
Roger Williams finished with 14 hits in the game. Williams led the way with a perfect 4-for-5 performance, scoring four runs, while Maurao added three hits and an RBI. Starratt finished with three RBI, and Tucholski contributed two RBI in the win.
In the circle, Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.) earned the win, striking out six over four innings, while Bruno and Luci Walters combined in relief to close out the game.
Roger Williams combined strong pitching, timely hitting, and explosive innings in both games to complete the sweep and continue building momentum into their next game on Apr. 29 against Bridgewater State at 3:00 PM.
