Box Score Game 1 | Box Score Game 2

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Villanova took both ends of a closely contested doubleheader on Thursday at the Villanova Softball Complex, topping the Leopards 1-0 and 4-1.

In game one, the Wildcats (21-13) scored the only run of the game in the fifth inning when Lauren Herschberg singled home Tianah Hathaway. The Leopards cut down another runner try to score on the play.

The Leopards had their offensive chances, leaving a pair of runners on in the first, third and fifth innings and a total of eight runners in the game.

The Leopards managed eight hits on the afternoon, two of which came from Samantha Sweigart who had a single in both ends of the doubleheader to run her hitting streak to nine games.

Villanova pitcher Kate Poppe (14-9) held the Maroon and White to three hits while striking out 11. The Leopard pitching staff combined to keep Villanova to four hits. Starter Kristyn Marinelli (3-7) allowed one run on three hits with four walks over five innings. Coming off a two-save weekend, Lindsey Cherry pitched a scoreless sixth inning. Neither pitching staff allowed an extra-base hit in the game.

In game two, Villanova scored two runs in the second and two more in the sixth for a 4-1 decision.

Sierra McConnell (sac fly) and Herschberg (double) plated runs off Lafayette starter Stacy Gordon in the second. That proved to be all the offense Villanova needed.

The Wildcats added two more in the sixth off Lafayette reliever Stephanie Thomas. McConnell connected for an RBI-single to run the score to 3-0 before Hathaway's sac fly.

Lafayette got on the scoreboard in the seventh against Villanova reliever Kalee Smith. With two outs in the inning, the game continued when Jenna Didio reached on an error and eventually scored on Rebecca Dvorak's single up the middle. Miranda Skurla kept things going with a single to left field which prompted Villanova to bring its starter, Jordan Prutzer, back into the game to face Marinelli, who pinch hit for Morgan Biddle. The game ended on a fielder's choice to second.

Prutzer (4-1) struck out eight in 6.1 innings while scattering three hits in the circle win. Gordon (4-5) allowed two runs on four hits in five innings while Thomas surrendered two runs on three hits in one inning.

Lafayette (10-24) returns to action on Sunday, hosting Rider at noon.