March 6, 2009

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team swept a doubleheader against Cedarville University Friday in Cocoa Beach, Fla., behind a no-hitter from pitcher Lauren Lynds in the opening game.

Lynds, a freshman from Las Vegas, Nev., struck out three Cedarville hitters and nearly had a perfect game, with a single walk serving as her only blemish in the 9-0 victory. Tiger head coach Marie McCarthy-Foster said Lynds has been gaining confidence early in her first season, and that resulted in her sparkling performance Friday.

“I feel like (Lynds is) getting comfortable on the mound,” McCarthy-Foster said. “She just came out and dominated their hitters. Her ball was moving, she was confident and we definitely played some defense behind her.”

Lynds didn’t just star on the mound in the win, she also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base to help a Tiger offense that scored nine runs on eight hits.

“(Lynds has) been doing well on the mound and producing for us offensively, hitting in the three-hole,” McCarthy-Foster said. “She’s definitely doing well on both sides.”

Tiffany Bonifacio continued her strong start, going 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and three RBI in the win. Jackie Pugilese was 2-for-4, Nicole Haley was 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, Brandi Nekrassoff was 1-for-3 with a double and a run and Brandy Aitken and Erika Cruz were each 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Dakota Wesleyan completed the sweep with a 5-1 victory in the second game behind another strong pitching performance, this time from Nekrassoff, a freshman from Fair Oaks, Calif. The Tigers scored their five runs on seven hits, while Cedarville managed their lone run on four hits off of Nekrassoff.

Cruz led the DWU offense, going 1-for-3 with two RBI, and Pugilese, Eke Watson, Bonifacio and Ika Watson each had a hit and an RBI. Lynds was 1-for-2, and Nekrassoff helped herself out with a hit and a run scored.

DWU improved to 4-2 this season with the sweep. The Tigers will complete their spring break trip with two more games on Saturday. Dakota Wesleyan will play Mercy College at 9 a.m. and Lees-McRae College at 1 p.m. Both game times are Eastern Standard Time.