IMMACULATA, Pa. - The Immaculata University softball team extended its season-high win streak to six Thursday afternoon with a non-conference sweep of visiting Haverford (11-5), 3-2 and 11-8. Kayla Sponsel delivered a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to lift the Macs to the game one win, before IU exploded for an 11-run third inning after trailing by five in the early innings to complete the sweep.

Ashley Rey finished the afternoon 5-for-8 at the plate with four runs driven in, including a key bases clearing double in the explosive bottom of the third in game two. Michaela Petito allowed only one earned run in her complete-game effort in Thursday's opener, before Emma Bischoff capped off the day in the circle with five shutdown innings in relief with five strikeouts to pick up the win in nightcap.

HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 1
-Petito and Haverford's Temma Levis were locked into a pitchers duel early through the early innings Thursday, matching zeros in the first two frames. After Petito coaxed three infield pop outs for a spotless top of the third, the Macs were able to break through with some run support for the lefty hurler. Sarah Reed and Abby Carter both reached with two outs, allowing Emily Mesey to finish off a ten-pitch at-bat with a ringing single back through the middle to score Reed with the game's first run.
-Petito continued to cruise through the Fords' lineup, posting another 1-2-3 inning in the fourth. Annemarie Bartow led off the home half of the frame with a two-bagger, but IU was unable to bring around, keeping it a one-run game.
-Haverford threatened in the top of the fifth with runners on the corners and one out, but Carter was able to snag a sharp liner at second and throw to first in time to double off the runner.
-The Fords did however plate the tying run in the top of the sixth with two outs, leaving the Macs with six outs left to break the 1-1 tie.
-IU wasted no time in doing so, as Keani Hindle reached with two outs and moved up to third on Petito's single to right-center. After pinch runner Moriah Hunter stole second to put two in scoring position with two away, Kayla Sponsel delivered the eventual game-winning run in Hunter with a two-run double down the left field line to make it 3-1 in favor of the Macs.
-Haverford plated an unearned run in the top of the seventh to get within one - and had the tying and go-ahead runs on base with two outs - but Petito was able to bear down to get a game-ending pop out to Bartow at short.

IU LEADERS AT THE PLATE
-Sponsel: 1-2, go-ahead two-run double in 6th

IU LEADERS IN THE CIRCLE
-Petito: W (1-2), 7.0 IP, 9H, 2R (1ER), 2K

HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME 2
-Thursday's nightcap proved to be the polar opposite of game one, as Haverford struck for five runs in the first two innings - three of which were unearned due to a pair of first-inning IU errors.
-Down 5-0 in the third, IU came to life to the tune of 11 runs as 15 batters came to the plate for the Macs to surge ahead, 11-5. Rey registered two hits and all four of her RBIs in the frame, including a bases-clearing double into the left field corner. Bartow also doubled in a run, Emma Biscoff drew a bases loaded walk and both Emily Mesey and Laura DiLucia produced run-scoring base knocks.
-However, the Macs failed to plate another run the rest of game two, as Haverford chipped away at the deficit late with a single run in the fifth and two more in the seventh. The freshman Bischoff was able to complete the sweep in the circle with five strong innings of relief to pick up the win, as the Macs held on 11-8.

IU LEADERS AT THE PLATE
-Rey: 4-4, 2B, 4RBI, 2R
-Mesey: 3-4, 2R, RBI

IU LEADERS IN THE CIRCLE
-W, 5.0 IP, 5H, 2ER, 5K

UP NEXT
Immaculata (10-8, 4-0 CSAC) returns to CSAC play with a Saturday doubleheader at Keystone. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.