WAYNESBURG, Pa. (April 13) – The Waynesburg University softball team got its Easter break off to a great start by sweeping La Roche at home on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets downed the Redhawks by the final scores of 8-4 and 9-2.
 
Waynesburg (9-16-1) got off to a bit of a slow start in game one, as La Roche (9-17) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the Jackets responded to the challenge in a big way, notching four runs in the bottom of the frame.
 
Sophomore first baseman Alex Lawrence started the comeback with an RBI single, before an error brought home the tying run. A double steal allowed the go-ahead score to cross home plate, before freshman second baseman Ashley Dubovich singled home her team's fourth run of the opener.
 
The Jackets sealed up the victory with another four-run inning, this one coming in the fourth. Freshman centerfielder Courtney Syfert, freshman catcher Rachel Skon and Dubovich recorded RBI base hits in the surge.
 
Sophomore Courtney Messenger pitched her team to victory. She allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits and two walks over six innings. Messenger racked up seven strikeouts in her most recent victory, before turning the ball over to senior Lyndi Gareis. Gareis allowed a run in the final inning of play.
 
Once again, La Roche posted a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to open up game two. The Jackets bounced back in the bottom of the frame with a three-spot of their own.
 
Lawrence extended her current hitting streak to 10 games with an RBI single. A two-run error by the Redhawks allowed the inning's final two runs to come home.
 
A successful double steal extended Waynesburg's lead to 4-2 in the second, before the Jackets blew the game wide open in the fourth. Freshman Cheyenne Wasko,  Skon and  Dubovich all recorded RBI singles, before senior Mackenzie Smith sealed up the victory with a two-run double that brought about the final score of 9-2.
 
Sophomore Cat Allstatt got the win in the circle after scattering 12 hits over a seven-inning, complete-game effort. She struck out five Redhawks and didn't walk an opposing hitter.
 
Dubovich paced the Waynesburg offense by going four-for-seven with a double, five RBI and a run scored. Smith added a three-for-six effort at the dish with a double and two RBI.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Friday, April 14, with a road trip to Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opponent Bethany. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.