Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Immaculata University's softball team extended its Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) winning streak to 10 games as it swept action at Centenary on Friday afternoon, 5-1 and 4-3.
 
The Mighty Macs (22-8, 18-2 CSAC) scored five runs in the sixth inning of game one to break a scoreless tie, and the visitors scored three runs in the seventh inning of the night cap to come back for the win.
 
Jessica DeCastro was 4-for-8 while Brittany Merkle went 3-for-6, including two doubles, with three RBIs in the two games to lead the Mighty Macs at the plate.
 
Neither team could get anything going offensively in the opener. The Mighty Macs managed just two hits through five innings, and Immaculata's Meagan Fitzgerald retired the first 15 Centenary hitters, including six by strikeout.
 
Then with one out in the sixth, DeCastro and Meghan Kugler both singled, but Immaculata's next hitter flew out for the second out of the inning. However, the Mighty Macs were able to keep the rally alive with a walk by Samantha Strickland to load the bases. Danielle Palmisano hit a two-run single to left field to break the 0-0 game. Merkle then doubled to right field, scoring both Strickland and Palmisano, and Jenny Barnholt capped the run with a RBI single into center field.
 
Centenary (13-24, 12-8) got its first hit of the game in bottom of the sixth, but the runner was thrown out trying to steal.
 
The hosts then led off their half of the seventh with three-straight singles to load the bases with no outs. The Cyclones' next batter grounded out to score the only run, and Fitzgerald got out of the jam with a double play.
 
DeCastro and Christiana Donofry each had two hits during the opening game.
 
Fitzgerald (13-2) pitched the complete game striking out seven while only giving up the one run on four hits.
 
In the nightcap, Immaculata scored one run in the second to take the 1-0 lead. Liz Biddle walked to lead off the inning, and Biddle scored on Merkle's RBI single through the left side.
 
Centenary gained a 2-1 lead in the third as the Cyclones used two early walks to get runners on second and third base. Both runners would later score on a Mighty Mac fielding error, but those would be the only runs of the inning.
 
The Mighty Macs entered the seventh still trailing the Cyclones, 2-1. After the lead-off hitter flew out, Merkle doubled into right center and Caitlyn Hudock reached on an error. Faced with two outs now and the tying and go-ahead run on base, Melissa Ejk came in to pinch hit and she delivered a double into right center that scored by Merkle and Hudock. DeCastro then capped her four-hit day with a single through the left side that brought Eck around for the fourth Mighty Mac run.
 
Centenary managed to get one run back in the bottom of the inning as Immaculata held on for the 4-3 win.
 
DeCastro and Merkle each had two hits and one RBI in the second game.
 
Palmisano (7-4) tossed all seven innings giving up just six hits, three runs, no earned runs, while striking out five.
 
Immaculata concludes the regular season tomorrow at 1 p.m. hosting Neumann.