The Stevenson University softball team continued its dominant start to the season, remaining undefeated after sweeping both Lancaster Bible and the University of Valley Forge in back-to-back doubleheaders before Spring Break.
The Mustangs (5-0) secured hard-fought wins over Lancaster Bible (5-4) on Wednesday, taking game one 4-3 and game two 8-5, before overpowering Valley Forge (2-10) on Thursday with decisive victories of 15-2 and 12-1, both in five innings.
Second-year Caylee Cliett shared what has been some of the keys to success in the early charge to this season. “The team chemistry has been amazing this season. Having a team with such an amazing group of girls who all bring positive energy make it so much fun to play.”
Wednesday: Stevenson Sweeps Lancaster Bible
Game 1 – Stevenson 4, Lancaster Bible 3
In a thrilling comeback, Stevenson rallied in the seventh inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit. Tessa Boswell singled to center, scoring Maria Morsa to tie the game. Rebecca Henry then scored on a sacrifice fly by Caylee Cliett, followed by Boswell crossing the plate on an RBI single from Danielle Mills to seal the victory.
Ky Vaughn earned her first win of the season, pitching a complete game with three strikeouts, two walks, and just one earned run allowed. Seven Mustangs recorded hits, with Sahara Ward contributing two and scoring a run.
Game 2 – Stevenson 8, Lancaster Bible 5
Trailing 3-0 after four innings, the Mustangs surged in the final two frames. Boswell’s bases-loaded walk plated Rebecca Maiorano to start the rally in the sixth. Henry and Ava Stafursky then scored on a fielder’s choice by Mills to tie the game.
In the seventh, Stafursky’s RBI single gave Stevenson the lead, followed by Henry and Boswell capitalizing on a fielding error to extend the margin to 8-3. Lancaster Bible responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Alexis Kirkessner closed out the win, striking out nine and allowing just two earned runs over seven innings.
McKenzie Tobler led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, while Mykaela Getz went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Ward added two hits, including an inside-the-park home run.
Thursday: Stevenson Dominates Valley Forge
Game 1 – Stevenson 15, Valley Forge 2
Stevenson exploded for six runs in the third inning and seven more in the fourth to break open a 2-2 tie. The Mustangs tallied 18 hits, led by Sierra Williams and Teagan Kreshik, both going 3-for-3. Ward and Boswell each had two hits.
Angelica Gurevich earned the win, striking out six over three perfect innings. Lilly Tinker closed the game with two solid innings, fanning three.
Game 2 – Stevenson 12, Valley Forge 1
The Mustangs wasted no time, jumping out to a 9-0 lead after two innings before adding three more in the fourth to enforce the run rule. Gurevich again dominated, retiring all nine batters she faced, striking out six with no walks.
Stevenson now heads to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where they will take on the University of Maine Presque Isle on Sunday to kick off their next slate of games.
As the season ramps up Cliett shared “these lessons will be huge as we go into conference play because we”ll face more high pressure situations and need to stay calm and focused.”
Looking further ahead when the team returns from their trip, they dive right into Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play.
“We’ve played a lot of different styles and that’s really taught us how to be adaptable,” Cliett said. “There were moments where we had to dig deep, whether it was bouncing back from a tough inning or keeping a positive mindset in close games.”
