GLENSIDE, PA (April 20, 2024) -- The King's College softball team got back to their winning ways on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the host Arcadia University by scores of 2-1 and 5-2 in their Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) doubleheader. With the wins, the Monarchs improved to 12-17 overall and 3-8 in the conference, while the Knights fall to 9-23 and 2-10 in the standings.
 
Game 1 – W, 2-1:
The opener of the MAC Freedom doubleheader was a pitcher's duel from the start. The Arcadia (9-23, 2-10 MAC Freedom) defense retired the side in the top of the first before Emily Novicki fanned two of the three outs in the bottom of the frame. King's (12-17, 3-8 MAC Freedom) put up a hit in each of their next at bats, a two-out single in the top of the second from Colleen Shuler and a one-out hit up the middle form Harley Sullivan in the top of the third, but the Knights offense struck first, plating a run in the bottom of the third to go ahead, 1-0.
 
The fourth was a three-up-three-down inning for both sides before the Monarchs earned momentum in the top of the fifth. BrookeLynn Walters and Breanna Goldspiel hit back-to-back infield singles to put two runners on with one out. A fly out from Sullivan allowed Walters to advance to third, and Goldspiel stole second during the next at bat. A big two-out single to right from Jessica Perella plated the pair of runs as King's went ahead, 2-1, after the top of the fifth.
 
Novicki and the Monarchs defense went to work, allowing just two more hits in the final two frames while striking out four more batters, to help secure the 2-1 win in game one in Glenside.
 
Sullivan led King's as she went 2-for-4 to in the seven-hit effort for the Monarchs, while Perella drove in the pair with her hit. Novicki collected her fifth win of the season, scattering five hits across 7.0 innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out a career-high tying 11 batters.
 
Nathlalia Dilanni paced the Knights as she went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Abby Jones added a two-hit effort with a double. Paige Nolan earned the loss in the complete game, giving up seven hits and a pair of earned runs.
 
Game 2 – W, 5-2:
It was a similar story in the night cap, with the Knights tallying three hits through the first two at bats, but the Monarchs defense kept the game scoreless. King's then struck first, capitalizing on a lead off single from Kara Krouse. Krouse then stole second and advanced to third on a ground out from Goldspiel. Sullivan's sacrifice bunt drove in Krouse as the Monarchs led, 1-0, after the top of the third.
 
The King's defense stifled a two-hit rally in the bottom of the frame and took care of business in the fourth. In the top of the fifth, Novicki hit a two-out double to left and scored on a triple by Paige Bergan as the lead increased to 2-0.
 
Arcadia rallied to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, driving in the pair of runs off three hits, and after a quick sixth inning the Monarchs strung together a great effort in the top of the seventh. Goldspiel led off with a bunt single and stole second before moving to third on an outfield hit from Sullivan. Sullivan stole second before Novicki stepped up to drive in the first tally of the frame with a single down the left field line. Nina Anzalone came out to run for Novicki and promptly stole second before coming in with Sullivan on a one-out double form Paige Bergan as the Monarch lead swelled to 5-2.
 
The Knights attempted a comeback, putting the lead off runner on with an infield single, but Perella hit Shuler at second to take care of the lead runner before Shuler turned a double play to end the inning and secure the 5-2 win and the MAC Freedom sweep.
 
Bergan had a strong 3-for-4 effort with three RBIs, a double, and a triple, while Novicki went 2-for-4 with a double, a run, and an RBI. Courtney Grogan earned the win in 2.2 innings of relief, holding the Knights scoreless with just two hits and two strikeouts. Brandi McIntosh threw well across the first 4.1 innings, holding Arcadia to two earned runs.
 
Megan Klose led Arcadia in game two going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run, while Taylor Sommer drove in two runs with a double. Mac Champion was awarded the loss in the complete game, allowing five earned runs on nine hits.
 
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King's will wrap up the regular season with a home stand, beginning the week with a non-conference match up with Wilkes University on Wednesday. Game one of the match up is set for 3:00 p.m.