WASHINGTON, D.C. – Villanova softball emerged victorious in a pitcher's duel at the Washington Nationals Youth Academy on Sunday, sweeping a second straight BIG EAST series with a 4-2 victory over the Georgetown Hoyas.
Lexi Kobryn and Kat Gallant were the stars of the game for Villanova (15-14, 7-2 BIG EAST), each allowing just one run in the ballgame while splitting the pitching duties. Kobryn received the win as the starter with four strikeouts on her ledger as Gallant earned her second save of the year with three frames of five-strikeout, one-hit ball.
Brooklyn Ostrowski, Maranda Runco and Ava Franz all reached base twice for the Wildcats, who totaled all of their hits and runs in the fifth inning. Franz, Ostrowski and Maddie Burrows accounted for an RBI each while Elaina Wagner, Alexa Raphael, Franz and Ostrowski all scored on the day.
The Wildcats threatened right away by loading up the bases in the first on a trio of free passes, but two strikeouts ended the chance.
Villanova put leadoff runners aboard in each of the second and third as well, though nobody could get to the plate and break the tie in those frames.
Georgetown got the game's first hit with two outs in the second on a double into right center, but Kobryn kept the runner there for a scoreless game.
The Hoyas generated a dangerous chance in the fourth with a hit-by-pitch and single putting two on the basepaths. Kobryn wasn't fazed though, inducing a groundout and flyout to keep GU off the board.
The third time through the order was the charm for the Wildcats as Wagner started a rally by poking a ball down the third base line for a one-out threat. Runco lined a single through the right side to put runners on the corners before Franz grounded one to third to score Wagner.
Ostrowski and Burrows each followed with laced singles into right field to get a teammate home, then Ostrowski dashed home on a wild pitch for a 4-0 edge in the fifth.
Georgetown answered right away with a trio of leadoff hits to score one, but Gallant entered in relief and got three straight outs to minimize the damage to one. The Hoyas struck again with two outs in the sixth, taking advantage of a leadoff walk and two-out single for a 4-2 ballgame.
Gallant took the circle again for the bottom of the seventh and delivered for the Wildcats, generating two strikeouts and a groundout to guarantee a plus-.500 record for her squad.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats have a week off from any non-conference midweek bouts, returning to play on Friday afternoon in South Orange for a three-game series at Seton Hall.
