WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 20, 2021) -- The sophomore duo of Bailey Loyack and Gabrielle Visconti led the way in game two, leading the King's College softball team (2-4) to a doubleheader split with the visiting DeSales University Bulldogs (2-4) at home on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1 (L, 1-3):
A slow start saw game one of the Saturday doubleheader tied, 0-0, before the Bulldogs plated runs in the top of the third and fourth, both on two-out singles, to lead 2-0. DeSales tacked on one more in the top of the fifth on a one-out single to center field to lead, 3-0.

King's had their best inning of the game in the bottom of the sixth when they loaded the bases on two hits with just one out, but the Bulldogs had an answer as they allowed just one run to score for the Monarchs as they fell in game one, 3-1.

Loyack, junior Lindsey Leppo, senior Morgan Briggs all posted two-hit games to lead the Monarchs. Sophomore Hannah Farr recorded the lone-King's run in the loss.

Sophomore Nora Zubillaga took the loss for the Monarchs, pitching 3.2 innings and giving up two runs on six hits. Graduate student Kris Kocher came on in relief to pitch 3.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out four.

Alexys Vernier paced the Bulldogs, going 3-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Olivia Ondrejca and Hallie Muffley also recorded doubles for the game. Heather Hall picked up the win on the mound to improve to 2-0, pitching a complete game and giving up just one run.

Game 2 (W, 8-0, 6 innings):
The Monarchs exploded offensively in game two as they posted three runs in both the third and the fourth innings, cruising to an 8-0 win in six innings. First-year Kiersten Krouse led off the bottom of the third, reaching on a Bulldogs error, and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Mindina Lieback. Then Loyack crushed a triple to the right field fence to score Krouse before scoring on a passed ball. Next it was sophomore Hannah Farr's turn, reaching safely on a single up-the-middle and scoring from first on a double from Briggs as King's led, 3-0.

After a quick top of the fourth, King's kept the momentum going as Leppo knocked a single to center field and advanced to second during Krouse's at bat. Back-to-back singles from Lieback and Loyack scored Leppo and put runners on first and second. After a pitching change for DeSales, junior Kristi Ann Skok recorded a single to right field to score Lieback and Loyack and lead the Bulldogs, 6-0.

King's plated the last two runs needed to secure the win in just six innings. Krouse kept up the hot hitting as she hit a lead-off double to left center, and a Loyack single scored Krouse from second. Another single from Skok and a fielder's choice from Farr advanced Loyack to third. The final run of the game came as Loyack crossed the plate on a wild pitch, securing the win for the Monarchs, 8-0.

Loyack paced King's going 3-for-4 with a triple, three runs scored, and an RBI. Skok also posted a multi-hit game, recording two hits and knocking in two RBIs. Sophomore Gabrielle Visconti secured the win in the circle, recording the complete-game shutout and giving up just two hits and striking out three.

Muffley and first-year Amelia Howard posted the only two hits of the game for the Bulldogs. First-year Alanna Hartzell took the loss, pitching 2.2 innings and giving up three runs on four hits.

King's has a quick turnaround as they travel to DeSales tomorrow for the second half of their home-and-home series. First pitch at McGettigan Park is set for 12:00 p.m.