Colby's softball team found its stride this week as the Mules swept both the University of Southern Maine (USM) and Bates College during a five game stretch. Having struggled the past few weeks to coordinate their offensive and defensive efforts, the women finally did just that, defeating USM 5-3 and 9-5 before dominating Bates 11-2, 5-0 and 6-0 over a separate two-day span.

Beginning their winning streak on Wednesday, April 21, the Mules were persistent in their victories over USM. In the first match of the double header, first-year Lauren Becker pitched into the sixth inning, tallying five strikeouts, no walks and only one earned run. Junior Alyssa Lepore finished the game, earning her second save. Lepore also contributed on offense for Colby, knocking out a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Barbara Santos '11 went three for three with a run and an RBI, tri-captain Allyson Cheever '11 had two hits and two runs, Katie Graichen '11 contributed two hits and a run and tri-captain Christine Gillespie '10 added an RBI.


The second match against USM went much like the first as the Mules continued to be hot on the offensive end of play. Scoring an exceptional seven runs in the seventh inning, the women capitalized on several USM errors. Alex Essman '11 led the Mules during the game with two hits, two runs and an RBI. Santos, Gillespie, and Kelly Roth '12 each tallied two hits, one run and an RBI. Cheever rounded out the attack with two hits and a run.


With strong momentum, the women turned their attention toward Bates. In an astonishing comeback, the Mules scored 10 runs in the seventh inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit and defeat the Bobcats. Leading the Mules were Cheever and Roth, who had three hits apiece, and Santos and Essman, who combined for seven RBI on each of their two hits.


Refusing to relent, the domination of the Bobcats continued the next day during a double-header. In addition to the offensive prowess that had been showcased the previous day, Colby's pitching staff displayed its skill with two shutouts to sweep Bates. Senior Brittany Tasi pitched the first shutout, a 5-0 win, with one strikeout and no walks. Capping off the night, Becker contributed her own shutout with a 6-0 defeat of the Bobcats. In the first match, Lizzi Fort '11 and Graichen had two hits each and Essman hit a two-run homer to seal the win for the Mules. Lepore, who went three for three with two runs and two RBI, and Essman, who had two hits and three RBI, led the Mules in the second match.


With only two games left in the season, the Mules look to continue their current winning streak. On Friday, April 30, and Saturday, May 1, the women will play a series of three games against rival Tufts University. As all three matches are scheduled to be played at home, the Mules hope to close out the year with some victories on Mayflower Hill.