Dominant pitching was once again the story this past Wednesday as Washington University handled Maryville University in a double-header. Ranked 25th in the nation and likely to move up, the Bears moved their best-ever record to 28-5.
In the first game, Victoria Ramsey tossed a complete game shutout as the Bears cruised to a 3-0 victory. Allowing only three hits and striking out three, Ramsey improved her pitching record to 13-2 and dropped her earned run average to 0.97.
Catcher Jackie Burgdorf led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Designated hitter Amanda Roberts also carried part of the load, putting up two hits, one RBI and one run scored. The Bears offense was aided by four Maryville errors, including one that put WU’s first run on base.
In the second game, the Bears exploded offensively as first baseman Liz Swary improved her team-leading batting average to .505, going 4-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored. Among Swary’s hits were her sixth home run of the year and two doubles. Combining for 18 total hits, a season high, WU also got two hits apiece from second baseman Dionna Little (2-for-3, 1 RBI), left fielder Ashley Gaia (2-for-3), shortstop Monica Hanono (2-for-5), Roberts (2-for-5, 2 RBI), and third baseman Kristin Harrer (2-for-3).
On the pitching side, Lori Fehlker improved her record to 6-1. In five innings thrown, she only gave up five hits and one run while striking out four. After turning in this performance, Fehlker’s earned run average dropped to an impressive 0.65. Ashley Johnson came in for the last two innings and was able to hold Maryville to one hit.
With only two more weekends of games to play, the Bears will look to extend their ten-game winning streak even further. Friday, the girls will travel to Greenville College for a double-header. The Bears shouldn’t have a problem beating Greenville, who has a dismal 7-19 record on the season.
On Saturday, the team will take a trip to Bloomington, Ill. to face Illinois Wesleyan University in their first game. Illinois Wesleyan also boasts a 28-5 record and is 10-1 at home. Later in the day, WU will conclude its conference schedule against the University of Chicago (16-7). With second place in the UAA already wrapped up, the Bears will look to improve their conference record to 7-2.