The Washington University women’s softball team had another successful weekend, taking three out of four games against their St. Louis rivals. The team improved its overall record to 28-5 heading into its final stretch of the season.

Friday’s games started on a sour note when Fontbonne pitcher Ashley Weaver out-dueled Bears sophomore ace Laurel Sagartz, as Fontbonne won the first leg of the doubleheader 2-1. The Bears took an early lead when senior Monica Hanono’s RBI double drove in Sagartz in the second inning to open the scoring and give the University a 1-0 edge. That lead would stand until Sagartz, who didn’t allow a hit in the first three innings, gave up a single and then a two-run home run, as Fontbonne took the lead.

The Bears would have a few chances to score, but Fontbonne catcher Lauren Austin gunned out senior Amanda Roberts on two different attempts at stolen bases, thwarting University rallies each time.

Sagartz did not allow another hit after the two run blast, but the damage was done and Fontbonne claimed game one.

The Bears’ bats woke up in game two, as junior Jamie Kressel went 3-4, with a HR and two RBIs and Sagartz added a pair of RBIs of her own as the Bears split the series with an 8-3 victory. Susan Gray went the distance for the Bears, allowing just three runs on seven hits for her fifth victory of the season. Sophomore Amy Vukovich and freshman Lindsay Cavarra each added RBI singles, as the Bears pounded their cross-Wydown rivals for eight runs on 11 hits.

On Saturday, with nearby Webster in town, Sagartz was ready to make up for the previous day’s loss. She did so in a big way, tossing a complete game no-hitter in game one, striking out seven batters and walking just one in a 9-0 Bears victory. This was Sagartz’s third no hitter in a Washington University uniform. The offense provided plenty of help for Sagartz, including two additional Kressel home runs. Kressel went 2-2 with a walk and three RBIs as she continued her power-filled weekend.

Sophomore Kaylyn Eash added a pair of RBI and Cavarra, Roberts and sophomore Laurel D’Andrea each chipped in an RBI apiece. The shutout for the Bears was their thirteenth of the season.

The bats stayed awake in the second half of the doubleheader, leading the Bears to an easy 11-4 victory. The Bears totaled 19 hits including a 4-4 day for Sagartz, and another 3-4 performance from Kressel.

Kressel and Sagartz each added two RBIs to their season totals, and Vukovich had a season high four RBI as the Bears cruised once again. Roberts added three hits while D’Andrea had two, as the Bears pulled away with five runs in the sixth inning. Gray pitched three scoreless innings before running into some trouble in the fifth, but junior Abby Morgan came in and pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings for her first victory of the season.

The Bears face Illinois College on Wednesday before heading to Decatur, Illinois for a doubleheader against Millikin University on Friday.

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