Philadelphia, Pa. – Senior Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) pitched a one-hit shutout in the opener and freshman Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) tossed a two-hitter in the nightcap as the Le Moyne College softball team swept University of the Sciences in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at McNeil Family Field. The Dolphins won the opener, 8-0, and recorded a 1-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Dolphins opened the day's scoring with three runs in the first game's second inning on three hits and an error. Eastman reached on an error by the shortstop with one out, moved to second on a single to the pitcher by freshman designated player Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) and took third on a bunt single by sophomore first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Land). Sophomore second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) was hit by the next pitch, which forced in Eastman. After a pop out, sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) singled up the middle to knock in LaForce and Artley.

Le Moyne scored twice in the third on two hits and an error. Sophomore third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) doubled to left field to open the frame and then junior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) reached on an error by the shortstop. Eastman followed with a double to left center to drive in both runners.

The Dolphins pushed across single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the fifth, DeRita singled through the left side, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out single to the left side by senior pinch-hitter Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee).

Graduate student center fielder Kelsey Johnson (Greece, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy/Buffalo/Syracuse) led off the sixth with a single to the pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch and came around to second on a two-out single to left by Bellrose.

The Dolphins used a pair of hits in the seventh to complete their scoring. Eastman led off with a single to left center and was replaced at first by sophomore pinch-runner Kalie Schumaker (Constantia, N.Y./Paul V. Moore). After a pair of outs, Schumaker scored from second on a double down the left field line by sophomore pinch-hitter Mia Pollino (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy).

Eastman earned her 19th victory of the season after striking out 11, the second-highest total of her career, while allowing only a hit to start the sixth inning. Johnson, Nicolosi, Bellrose and Eastman each recorded two of Le Moyne's 13 hits. Kyla Colburn took the loss after giving up eight runs (five earned) and the 13 hits, while striking out three.

In the nightcap, the Dolphins scored the only run in the first inning on two hits. Johnson walked on seven pitches to start the game and moved to second on a bunt single by Nicolosi. After an out, Bellrose singled to right field to drive in Johnson.

Nichols collected her fifth win of the year after striking out a career-high eight, while allowing just two-out singles in the third and seventh. Kaitlyn Gaynor struck out 10 in the loss for the Devils, while yielding seven hits and one run.

Le Moyne (29-10), which wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a 16-3 record, concludes its home schedule on Wednesday with a doubleheader against The College of Saint Rose at 3:00 p.m.