photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- University of Delaware starting pitchers Anne Marie Pagano and Samantha Shawn each allowed just one earned run to lead the Blue Hen softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Rider, 3-2 and 9-2, Wednesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.

The Blue Hens, who improved to 18-14 on the season, took the lead in the opener in the top of the third inning when Katie DeSalvo tripled down the rightfield line with one out and scored when Katie Lee followed by hitting a sacrifice fly to centerfield. However the Broncs, now 7-17 on the year, tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Candice Harris hit a leadoff double down the leftfield line, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Kozlowski, and scored on a bunt single by Tifffany Day-Neutill.

Delaware went right back on top in the top of the fourth as Jessica Kozlowski singled to center with two outs and came around to score when Caitlin Smith’s (at right) single was misplayed by Rider leftfielder Derrin Minunni. But Rider would answer in the bottom of the fifth, as Kozlowski stroked a one-out single to left and moved to second when Day-Neutill reached on an error by Blue Hen third baseman Michelle Grap. Brittany Eckett then singled to rightfield to load the bases, and Kozlowski scored when Minunni followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice. The Broncs still had the bases loaded with one out, but Pagano escaped the jam without allowing any more runs to keep the game tied at 2-2.

Delaware regained the lead in the sixth by mounting a two-out rally. Smith singled to center to ignite the rally, and after she moved to second on a single to center by Lindsay Novak, Smith scored the game-winning run when DeSalvo lined a double into the left centerfield gap. The Broncs put the tying run on first base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Pagano struck out Katy Mills looking to end the game.

Pagano improved to 10-5 after allowing two runs, one earned, on nine hits while striking out five batters for the Blue Hens, while Broncs pitcher Jessica Holland fell to 2-8 as she gave up three runs, two earned, on 10 hits with five strikeouts.

DeSalvo went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple for Delaware, while Kozlowski, Smith and Novak each added two hits.

The Blue Hens jumped ahead in the nightcap by scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Novak reached on an error with one out, and after Quinn Megargel walked, Borchers singled up the middle to drive home Novak with the first run of the game. One out later Michelle Kenney singled into rightcenter to plate Megargel and Borchers as Delaware took an early 3-0 lead.

Delaware added a run in the third when Megargel led off with a single to left, moved to second on a groundout, and scored on a double to center by Smith. The Broncs got on the board in the bottom of the frame as Candice Harris beat out a bunt single, stole second, and scored when DeSalvo misplayed a single to right by Day-Neutill.

However Delaware answered in the top of the fifth as walks to Borchers and Smith preceded a three-run homer by Grap, her team-leading fourth of the season. The Broncs cut the UD advantage to 7-2 in the bottom of the frame when Kozlowski led off with a double, moved to third on a bunt single by Day-Neutill, and scored on a groundout by Brittany Eckett.

Megargel reached on an error with two outs in the sixth, and she came around to score on a double to leftcenter by Borchers. Smith then followed with an infield single, driving home Borchers with the Blue Hens’ ninth run of the game.

Shawn improved to 8-8 after giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits with two strikeouts in five innings for the Blue Hens, while Kenney allowed one hit and struck out one batter in two innings of scoreless relief. Rider starter Lauren Brunner dropped to 4-8 after she allowed four runs, one earned, on seven hits in four innings of work.

Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday when the Blue Hens travel to Towson for a 12 noon doubleheader with the Tigers.

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