GREENVILLE, PA. (March 24, 2010) – The Thiel College softball team stretched their win streak to five games on Wednesday, with their sweep over the La Roche College Redhawks.  The Tomcats took the first game, 6-0, while winning game two, 7-6.

Junior pitcher, Emily Batiz (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area), was simply dominant from the mound in game one, pitching a complete game shutout, while striking out 13 batters and allowing just three hits.  Batiz now owns three of the six highest single game strikeout totals in Thiel history, including the all-time record of 18.

Junior, Melissa Rankin (Scenery Hill, Pa./Bentworth), led the Tomcats at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Batiz helped her own cause going 2-for-4 at the dish with two RBI's.  Stephanie Smith (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) contributed three RBI's to the victory, while Laura Davin (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) tallied two hits and scored run.

In game two, Tomcat softball managed to hold a 6-3 lead through five innings before the Redhawks stormed back over the last two innings, tying the score at six heading into the bottom of the seventh.

With the score knotted at six apiece, Rankin belted a leadoff double to the left field fence, putting the winning run in scoring position for Emily Batiz (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area).  Batiz matched Rankin's double, with a two-bagger of her own to end the contest.

Kristen Moreland (Dover, Ohio/Dover) picked up the win in game two, throwing seven complete innings.  The Dover, Ohio native struck out five Redhawks, while allowing three earned runs on ten hits.

Rankin led the way offensively, going 4-for-4 at the plate with one run scored, while Batiz tallied two hits, two RBI's, and a run scored.  Madison Chylik (Cuyahoga Falls, OH/Valley View) contributed two RBI's.

The Tomcats return to action Friday, March 26 for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader against Ursuline College.