WASHINGTON, Pa. -- A strong offensive performance combined with solid pitching in the circle helped the Washington & Jefferson College softball team to a non-conference sweep of La Roche University at Brooks Park on Tuesday afternoon.

The Presidents rolled to a 9-1 win in five innings during the opener before securing an 8-3 victory in game two to complete the sweep. 

Offensively, the Presidents combined to record 17 runs on 24 hits during the doubleheader against the Redhawks. Meanwhile, the pitching staff limited the visitors to just four runs combined during the day. 

Game One Recap - W&J 9, La Roche 1 (5 Innings) 

After giving up an early run to spot La Roche a 1-0 lead, W&J took control with five runs in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman outfielder Sarah Labbe (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonksee) and senior pitcher Taylor Andres recorded back-to-back two-run singles to give W&J a 4-1 edge. Later in the inning, junior first baseman Laura Ryder (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny) singled home junior centerfielder Dana Parker (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) to push the lead to 5-1. 

The Presidents tacked on four runs on four hits in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 9-1. Sophomore Addy Helffrich (Sewickley, Pa./Avonworth) and Labbe recorded back-to-back RBI singles before junior catcher Lexie Creyer (Blandon, Pa./Fleetwood) closed the scoring with a two-run single to bring home Labbe and Helffrich.

Andres was strong in the circle to pick up the victory. The senior allowed one run on just two hits in a complete game effort. Andres recorded a season-high eight strikeouts while walking just one. Andres also helped her own cause at the plate with two hits. 

Ryder continued her hot streak at the plate, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of runs scored. Labbe finished game one a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Helffrich added two hits and two runs. 

Game Two Recap - W&J 8, La Roche 3 

Just like game one, the visitors plated a run in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. However, sophomore second baseman Brooke McCleester (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) helped W&J tie the score in the bottom of the first with a RBI bunt single.

The Redhawks would register a run in the top of the second to regain the lead at 2-1 but W&J's offense continued to battled back. After a sacrifice fly by Creyer tied the score, senior shortstop Rachel Johnson (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) launched an opposite field home run to give the Presidents a 4-2 lead. 

Ryder tacked on an RBI double to make the score 5-2 after three innings of play. In the bottom of the fourth, W&J tallied three more runs to make the lead 8-2. Johnson used an RBI single to score junior pitcher Kristen Fuertes (West Chester, Pa./West Chester). McCleester then followed with an RBI triple to deep center that brought Johnson around before freshman catcher Brooke Stout (Berwick, Pa./Berwick Area Senior) tallied an run-scoring single to extend the lead to six runs. 

That was more than enough support for Fuertes, who picked up the victory after tossing 7.0 strong innings. The right hander allowed three runs (two earned) while striking out three Redhawks. 

Johnson led the offense by going 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI and a pair of extra base hits. McCleester, Stout and Ryder recorded two hits apiece in the nightcap. 

W&J improves to 7-11 overall while La Roche drops to 3-9. Weather permitting, the Presidents are scheduled to open Presiedents' Athletic Conference play at Grove City on Saturday, March 30. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.