WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 17, 2023) -- The King's College softball team extended their win streak to six as they swept the non-conference doubleheader, posting wins of 14-7 and 4-3, over Keystone College on Monday afternoon at Betzler Field. With the sweep, the Monarchs improve to 17-9 overall, while the Giants drop to 7-15.
 
Game 1 – W, 14-7:
The opener was an offensive onslaught from the Monarchs as they put up 21 team hits in the win. After giving up two hits to Keystone (7-15) in the opening frame, King's (17-9) exploded for four runs on three hits, including singles from Megan Mitola, Jessica Perella, and Sydney Straub as the Monarchs held an early 4-0 edge.
 
The Giants would get one back in the top of the second, but the Monarchs would continue their strong hitting with five hits for three more runs to jump ahead, 7-1, after just two innings of play. After a quick third inning, Keystone tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth to close within 7-3, but King's had an immediate response as they batted through the order to score five runs on six hits, highlighted by doubles from Perella and Kara Krouse, to lead, 12-3.
 
Keystone made a push in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs on as many hits to trail, 12-7, but three consecutive singles from Perella, Brianna Kesslick, and Tori Holena in the bottom of the inning added another run in the scoring column for the Monarchs, holding a 13-7 advantage.
 
The Monarchs would tack on the final tally in the bottom of the sixth on three hits, including an RBI single from Ellie Higdon, and the Giants were only able to put one on in the top of the seventh as King's posted the 14-7 win in game one of the non-conference doubleheader.
 
Perella led King's as she went a perfect 5-for-5 with a double, four RBIs, and two runs scored, while Mitola was also perfect at the plate with a 3-for3 effort, scoring three and driving in one. Straub had a strong outing as she went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run, while both Breanna Goldspiel and Ellie Higdon put up two hits and two runs. Jennifer Devens recorded the win as the starter, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing just one earned run on nine hits, while Maura Furst threw well in relief, holding Keystone scoreless in 2.1 innings with just three hits.
 
Brooke Staple led Keystone in the opener as she went 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while both Isabella Mandarano and Jessica Frye drove in two each. Clare Johns picked up the loss in 6.0 innings, allowing 11 earned runs on 21 hits.
 
Game 2 – W, 4-3:
The first inning and a half saw each team put runners on, but neither could capitalize before the Monarchs struck in the bottom of the second, scoring a pair on three hits, including an RBI single from Tori Holena and an RBI from Devens to see King's lead, 2-0.
 
Keystone broke their scoring drought in the top of the fourth, scoring one on two hits to close within 2-1, but the Monarchs had an immediate response in the bottom of the inning, scoring on an RBI single from Perella as the Monarchs held the 3-1 advantage through four.
 
The Giants knotted up the night cap in the top of the fifth behind three hits, but Alyssa Booth lined out to shortstop Jessica Perella as she turned the double play and threw out the runner at first to put a stop to the comeback efforts.
 
The game went quiet again through the fifth, but the Monarchs secured the winning run in the bottom of the sixth as Olivia Krupski worked a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and moved to third on a single to center field from Gabby Visconti. A Perella sacrifice fly drove in Krupski to put the Monarchs ahead, 4-3.
 
The visitors made a strong push in the top of the seventh as they put their leadoff runner on, but the King's defense remained steady down the stretch to secure the 4-3 win over Keystone.
 
Goldspiel led King's as she went 2-for-4, while Perella drove in two for the Monarchs as they put up 10 hits in the night cap. Courtney Grogan earned the win in 4.0 innings of relief, , while Furst was strong as the starter, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings.
 
Mara Brooks had a strong game to lead Keystone, going 3-for-3 at the plate. Courtney Cienki picked up the loss as she gave up four earned runs on 10 hits.
 
--
 
King's will set their sights on the important MAC Freedom doubleheader at home on Wednesday afternoon as they host Misericordia University. Game one is set to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Betzler.