Inferno Can't Secure Lead In Nightcap, Swept By Eagles

The Inferno put up a valiant effort in the nightcap, but lost to visiting Benedictine University, 9-5, after it dropped the opener, 7-1, in a Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader at Alverno Field.

Alverno College stranded seven runners on base and managed just four hits in game one, as Stef Wilmore's double in the fifth inning plated the host team's only run of the game.

The Eagles (10-10, 6-2 NAC) scored in just two innings, but plated three runs in the third and four in the sixth for the commanding lead.

Both pitchers went the distance as Jamie Villalobos (5-5) struck out four and allowed 10 hits in the loss, while Melissa Guzior (6-3) had five strikeouts and walked three for the victory.

The Inferno (10-8, 4-6) fell behind 3-0 in game two, but a five-run fourth gave Alverno its first lead of the series.

Sam Kasprzak and Stephanie Skibba recorded back-to-back two-out hits, and Villalobos walked to load the bases. Lauren Colette's single to center field plated Kasprzak and Skibba, and Emily Ortner put the Inferno on top, 5-3, with a three-run home run to center field -- the first of her collegiate career.

The defending NAC champs came right back, however, with a pair of runs in the fifth to tie the game, and then added four more over the final two innings, while the Inferno connected for just two hits in the last three innings.

Kelly Loy (4-2) pitched six innings and recorded the win, while Megan Rossi (3-3) was charged with the loss in three innings of relief work. Erin Dulek allowed just two hits and three runs in four innings of work in her first appearance since February.

Wilmore recorded a hit in each of the games to extend her school-record hitting streak to 16 games, while Rossi was walked in both contests to extend her reached-base streak to 16 games.

Alverno hosts Mount Mary College in a nonconference two-game series on Monday. First pitch is 3 p.m. at Alverno Field.

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