HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Nazareth's softball team swept an Empire 8 double header from Houghton on Wednesday afternoon. The visiting Golden Flyers dominated both games as they took the first contest 9-1 in six innings then knocked off the Highlanders 15-0 in the second. In the first game, Sarah Ferruzza was 4-4 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. In the second, Kaijah Alexander was 3-4 with six RBIs, and she hit her team-leading 15th homerun.

Following Wednesday's games, the Golden Flyers improve to 18-13 overall and 12-8 in conference games. Houghton falls to 8-25 overall and 3-16 in Empire 8 contests with the losses.

Nazareth Wins 9-1 in Six Innings
The Golden Flyers scored twice in the first inning for the early lead. After Morgan Russo singled to center to lead-off the inning, Ashley Bell followed and reached first on a fielder's choice that retired Russo at second. Bell moved to second after Alexander drew a walk. A couple of batters later, Ferruzza hit a two-out double to right field to score Bell and Alexander.

Nazareth added to its lead in the top of the third inning when three runs crossed the plate. With one out, Alexander singled to left; she advanced to second on the throw. Madison Hicks followed with a double to left field, which brought Alexander home. When Ferruzza singled, Hicks advanced to third to put runners at the corners with only one out. The Golden Flyers used savvy baserunning for their next run. When Ferruzza stole second, Hicks was able to score from third to increase Nazareth's advantage to 4-0. Haleigh Suitor doubled to right field to score Ferruzza for the Golden Flyers' third run of the inning and fifth of the game.

Houghton scored its first run with a two-out single in the bottom of the third to trim its deficit to four runs, 5-1.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Nazareth responded in the fifth with a pair of runs to stretch its lead to 7-1. Hicks connected on a one-out single to left, then Avery Zembek pinch ran for her. Zembek advanced to third on Ferruzza's single. After Ferruzza stole second to move into scoring position, Suitor brought Zembek and Ferruzza home with her second double of the day.

Russo was the first baserunner of the sixth inning after singling to center, then Bell followed with a single to move Russo to second. Russo was out at third on Alexander's fielder's choice, but Bell and Alexander kept Nazareth runners at first and second. Following a walk to Hicks to load the bases, Ferruzza connected on her second double and fourth hit of the day to plate Bell and Alexander to increase the score to 9-1.

Zembek earned the victory with two strikeouts and one run allowed on seven hits in six innings. The Golden Flyers' defense turned a pair of double plays to frustrate the Highlanders. Julia Maciag recorded a game-high six assists for Nazareth's defense. 

Nazareth Downs Highlanders 15-0 in Five Innings
The Golden Flyers amassed 15 runs in the first four innings, beginning with five in the first.

Nazareth's first three batters reached base in the opening inning. Russo had a lead-off double, followed by a double by Bell that advanced Russo to third. Alexander followed with a single to center to score Russo and Bell. Two batters later, Hicks singled to center, which pushed Alexander to third. After Hicks stole second to put both runners in scoring position, Suitor homered to give the Golden Flyers the 5-0 lead. It was Suitor's fifth homerun of the season.

Bell had Nazareth's first hit of the second inning, a one-out single to center. Alexander followed with her two-run homer to increase the lead to seven runs.

Similar to the first inning, the Golden Flyers scored five times in the third. After Anna Spencer reached on a fielder's choice, Caitlyn Knapp singled to right, and Maciag loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Russo followed with a one-out double to right field to score Spencer and Knapp and put Nazareth ahead 9-0.

With Russo and Maciag at second and third, respectively, Bell reached first on a fielder's choice to load the bases again. Alexander followed with a single to right to bring Maciag and Russo across the plate and increase Nazareth's advantage to 11-0. Ferruzza capped the scoring with her sacrifice fly, which brought in Bell.

The Golden Flyers scored their final four runs in the fourth. Suitor reached on an error to start the inning and advanced to third when Spencer singled to right center. Although Spencer was caught stealing moments later, Suitor scored on the play for Nazareth's 13th run.

Knapp and Maciag followed with consecutive singles, and they advanced to second and third, respectively, on the play. The next batter, Russo, brought Knapp home with a sacrifice fly. Maciag tallied the Golden Flyers' final run when Bell singled to center.

Hicks finished with a pair of strikeouts while scattering four hits and a walk to earn the victory.

Over the last three games, Nazareth's hitting, fielding, and pitching has been dominant as the Golden Flyers have outscored opponents 32-1.

Nazareth is in action again on Sunday, May 4th, when the Golden Flyers travel to Russell Sage for a critical Empire 8 double header.

Nazareth has clinched a postseason berth and are sixth in the current standings entering the final weekend of the regular season. The Golden Flyers will look to secure home-field advantage for the first round of the Empire 8 Tournament with victories on Sunday. Empire 8 Tournament details can be found here.