How It Happened
Strong pitching from the tandem of Katie Zaun and Ashley Hibbard led Rhode Island to a doubleheader sweep of Holy Cross in cold conditions Wednesday afternoon. The Rams (10-31) won both games, taking the opener 2-1 and the nightcap 4-1 as Zaun and Hibbard allowed just two runs on 13 hits combined in the two contests. All 13 hits by the Crusaders (9-27) were singles.

Game 1 – Rhode Island 2, Holy Cross 1
All of the scoring Rhode Island needed came in the first inning. Skyler Rapuano delivered a two-out, two-run single up the middle to drive in Hannah Hernandez and Kylie Bulinsky.

Katie Zaun (4-11) handled things for the first five innings, allowing no runs on five hits. Ashley Hibbard pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning to preserve the win. Holy Cross had scored once and had the bases full with nobody out. Hibbard induced an infield fly popup by Ava Gambichler, then struck out Morgan Jensen and Ali Sniegocki to escape further damage. She set the Crusaders down in order in the seventh to earn the save.

Game 2 – Rhode Island 4, Holy Cross 1
In the second game, Ashley Hibbard (4-4) dominated Holy Cross over the first six innings, allowing just one hit. That hit was a second-inning squib off the handle by Jessica Mott that landed about eight feet from home plate. Over the first innings, she retired the side in order four times and never faced more than four batters.

With Hibbard holding down the fort, the offense broke through in the home half of the fourth, scoring three times on four hits and a pair of walks. Emily Power started the rally with a double to center field. Sydney Yoder dropped a single down the right field line to drive in pinch runner Mandi Hanewich. Back-to-back singles by Becca Zawistowski and Casey Miller loaded the bases with no outs.

The next two batters struck out, but the Rams made the opportunity count. Elena Gonzalez and Kylie Bulinski drew back-to-back walks, each earning a run batted in along the way.

In the sixth inning, Gonzalez gave the team an insurance run when she lined a two-out double that allowed Cassie Swenson to score all the way from first base.

Inside the Box Scores

• The doubleheader sweep marked the first time this season Rhode Island has won consecutive games.
• Sophomore Ashley Hibbard improved to 4-4 overall and also recorded her second save of the season.
• Over her last nine appearances, Hibbard has allowed just seven earned runs over 38.0 innings of work.
• Graduate student Elena Gonzalez was 2-for-5 on the day with two doubles, two runs batted in and two walks.
• Sophomore Hannah Hernandez was 2-for-5 with one run scored and one stolen base.
• Graduate student Sklyer Rapuano had two hits and two RBI on the day, while junior Emily Power had two hits, including a double.
• Sophomore Kylie Bulinski doubled, walked twice, was hit by a pitch, scored one run, drove in one and stole a base.
• The Rams were 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts for the day. Rhody is now 51-for-64 on the season.

What's Next
Rhode Island hosts George Washington in a doubleheader Saturday, April 20 to start a three-game series. The Rams will hold its Senior Day ceremony between games of the doubleheader.