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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - La Salle softball bounced back in a big way on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against Rhode Island at West Campus Field. The Explorers improved their A-10 record to 9-3 with the two victories.
 
It was going to be interesting to see how La Salle would respond after being handled by Massachusetts 9-4 on Friday afternoon. As has been the case all season, the youthful Explorers have shown a penchant for being able to put difficult losses behind them. They came through yet again on Saturday, defeating Rhode Island 6-2 in Game 1 and 8-2 in Game 2.
 
"This team just gets it," head coach Ron Shoemaker said. "We said this morning that the great thing about yesterday was that it was yesterday. They came back and played some great ball today."
 
The Explorers (17-15; 9-3) jumped on Rhode Island (11-28; 4-8 A-10) right out of the gates in Game 1. Michelle Hagarty (1-3; HR) hit a lead off home run to start the game for the second consecutive Saturday to stake La Salle to the early 1-0 lead.
 
The Blue and Gold added three more runs in the second inning. Alicia Augton (2-2; R) and Kendra Heyer (2-2; R) hit consecutive singles to start the frame. Genevieve Gaynor was able to move the runners 60 feet with a textbook sacrifice bunt. Emily Moran (1-3; HR, 3RBI) came through in a big way, launching a towering three-run homer to left center to extend the Explorers lead to 4-0.
 
"I think today was a huge two wins for us," senior captain Megan Hodgson (3-4; 2B) said. "Everybody up and down the lineup was hitting and we were able to string them together."
 
That was all the run support Aughton (W, 10-7) would need as she went the distance for her third consecutive start. She held the Rams to five hits and one walk over seven strong innings. The junior allowed two runs (one earned), while striking out four. The Rams were able to snap her consecutive scoreless innings streak at 17.2 with a two-out single by Megan Congro in the fourth.
 
"Coach Taryn Ashway has been a huge help," Aughton said when discussing her excellent run. "She's helped me keep my mechanics clean and has really made a difference with my pitching philosophy."
 
The second game started on a sour note for the Explorers, as the Rams touched up Mary Cate Scott for two runs in the second inning to jump out to the early lead. Scott would exit shortly thereafter as the Explorers again turned to Aughton. Scott's final line read 2+ innings pitched, allowing one hit and two walks, while fanning two.
 
Aughton (W, 11-7) shut the door again for the Blue and Gold, going the final five innings. She held the Rams to just two hits the rest of the way, striking out one.
 
The Explorers got one run back in the bottom of the second, as Gaynor (2-3; 2B, HR, 2RBI) laced a two-out RBI-double to right center. They knotted the game at 2-2 in the third inning on a wild pitch, which scored Megan Hodgson (0-2; 2BB, 2R).
 
The Blue and Gold broke the game open in the fourth as they batted around scoring five runs to grab a 7-2 lead. Aughton (1-3; HR) helped her cause, leading off the inning with a solo-shot to left. Gaynor added a solo homer in the inning, while Christina Bascara (1-2; 2B, 2RBI, R) capped the scoring in the inning with a two-RBI double down the left field line. 
 
Kristin Travers (1-1; HR, 2RBI) added an insurance run in the sixth, launching her first homer of the year to right center.
 
The Explorers will return to action on Tuesday as they hit the road for a twin-bill at UMBC. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 2:30 PM.
 
"It is an unreal feeling right now," Hodgson said. "But we know we have to stay focused because there is still work left to do to get where we want to be."