WAYNESBURG, Pa. (March 17) – The Waynesburg University softball team hosted Franciscan for a Wednesday doubleheader. The Yellow Jackets enjoyed a successful 2016 home debut by downing the Barons 9-4 and 9-3.
 
Waynesburg (4-8) got off to a bit of a slow start as Franciscan (0-14) scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first inning. The Jackets rebounded in the bottom of the frame when junior catcher Mackenzie Smith singled home freshman third baseman Sabrina Stankus to make the score 2-1.
 
Waynesburg took control of the opener during its half of the second, thanks to a little small ball. Senior leftfielder Katey Potopenko tied the game at 2-2 by coming home on a Franciscan error. Senior centerfielder Jessica Dorazio drove in the go-ahead run on a run-scoring single, before coming home herself on a bunt single by Stankus.
 
The Jackets put the game out of reach with two runs in the third, one in the fourth and two more in the sixth. Potopenko notched two RBI on a sixth-inning double.
 
Stankus and Dorazio collected a game-high two hits each in the win. Freshman first baseman Alex Lawrence scored a game-high two runs, while Potopenko led the way with her two RBI. Waynesburg cracked four doubles in the opener.
 
Freshman Cat Allstat started in the circle and got the pitching win after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over four innings of work. She struck out eight Barons. Junior Lyndi Gareis worked the final three innings of the contest.
 
The home team came out firing in the late contest and built up a 6-0 lead over the first two innings of play. Freshman shortstop Keri Renzler drove in three runs over the hot start. Franciscan broke up the shutout in the top of the third, before the Jackets put together the finishing touches to its fourth win of the year. Renzler posted a game-high fourth RBI in the bottom of the sixth inning. She went three-for-four in the late contest with two runs scored.
 
Stankus was a real pest on the base paths, as she swiped a contest-best three bases and scored twice. Junior second baseman Ashley Demarco also crossed home plate on two separate occasions.
 
Freshman Courtney Messenger earned the win after starting and giving up one unearned run on two hits and a walk over the first three innings of play. Senior Stephanie Kotomski worked the final four innings of the victory. She allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks.
 
Waynesburg is next scheduled to be in action on Friday, March 18, when it travels to Mount Aloysius. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.