WISE, Va. – The UVa-Wise softball team swept visiting Urbana University in Mountain East Conference play Thursday evening at Cavalier Field. Junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Brandts (King George, Va.) tossed a one-hit shutout in game one as the Cavaliers (25-15, 16-8 MEC) cruised to a 3-0 win, before defeating the visiting Blue Knights (15-19, 11-13 MEC) 7-3 in game two.
 
UVa-Wise lined eight hits in each of the two games and scored a total of 10 times in the doubleheader. Senior first baseman Olivia Cleary (Riner, Va.) went 4-for-5 on the evening with two RBIs and a run scored. Urbana collected nine hits in game two but only scored three times and left seven base runners stranded thanks to the Cavs' defensive play.
 
Extending her complete game shutout streak to eight games, Taylor Brandts (15-5) was ultra-efficient in the first game of the day. She struck out nine batters in the seven frames, gave up just one hit and walked only two.
 
After one and a half innings of scoreless play, UVa-Wise got its first run of the day in the bottom of the second. Sophomore left fielder Shannon Bennett (Covington, Va.) reached on a Blue Knight fielding error but brought in Cleary from third base for an RBI. Despite loading the bases in the third, the Cavs could not bring another run across home plate until the bottom of the sixth when UVa-Wise scored twice. First, senior designated player Alexa Hernandez (Woodbridge, Va.) singled through the left side for an RBI to bring in freshman shortstop Nikki Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), before junior catcher Bridget Henzel (Toano, Va.) knocked in a RBI single to left field for sophomore center fielder Ava Hockey (Virginia Beach, Va.) to score. Taylor Brandts ended the game by retiring Urbana's final 10 batters.
 
Cleary went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored once to lead the Cavs, while Henzel finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Carly Allen (10-11) took the loss for the Blue Knights after striking out two in six innings of work inside the circle.
 
Urbana's bats came alive in the second game of the day but UVa-Wise was able to score seven times on eight hits and only left four base runners stranded. The Cavs wasted no time in getting on the board and scored twice in the opening inning thanks to RBI double by Cleary. Hernandez scored from third base on the double as Henzel advanced to third and then scored on the throw from the outfield.
 
The Blue Knights got their first run of the day in the top of the third when first baseman Margo Jackson singled up the middle and left fielder Riley Curtis scored on a UVa-Wise fielding error, making it a 2-1 game. The Cavs responded in the bottom of the inning with two more runs. Cleary connected on a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Hernandez, before Bennett singled up the middle for an RBI allowing junior third baseman Samantha Ely (Jonesville, Va.) to reach home.
 
Urbana made it a one-run game once again in the top of the fifth when shortstop Caitlyn Stoner crushed a two-run homer well over the left field fence. UVa-Wise couldn't get anybody on base in the fifth but tacked on three insurance runs in bottom of the sixth after the Blue Knights nearly tied the game in the top of the frame. Bennet and Henzel connected to make a great play off of a Courtney Kennedy single to left field, throwing out Urbana's Curtis at home plate for the third out of the inning. Freshman pinch runner Kelsy Padgett (Goodview, Va.) scored on a RBI single to deep right field by junior pinch hitter Monica Brandts (King George, Va.) to make it 5-3. Sophomore pinch hitter Jackie Yahner (Vienna, Va.) then launched a two RBI double to center field, giving the Cavs a 7-3 advantage as freshman pinch hitter Taylor Creasey (Huddleston, Va.) and Smith scored.
 
Pitching in relief, Taylor Brandts didn't give up a hit in the seventh and walked just one to secure the UVa-Wise victory. Senior right-hander Emily Kale (Shelby, N.C.) earned the win for the Cavs and improved to 5-4 on the season after striking out four in five innings of work. Taylor Brandts pitched two innings in relief to earn her second save of the season and extend her scoreless inning streak to 56.
 
Cleary went 2-for-2 at the plate with two RBIs while Hernandez scored twice in the game. Curtis finished 3-for-3 with a run scored for the Blue Knights as catcher Bailee Faulkner went 2-for-4. Urbana's Courtney Stewart (5-8) took the loss after tossing 5 1/3 innings and only striking out one.
 
The Cavs continue their 10-game homestand tomorrow when they host Notre Dame College. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 10 a.m. from Cavalier Field with game two beginning at approximately 12 p.m.
 
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