Rhode Island Starters
Hernandez (CF), Jones (RF), Knarr (1B), Bulinski (C), Orndorff (2B), Sterner (DP), Miller (3B), Torres (SS), Morris (LF), Maleitzke (C), Vale-Cruz (P)
George Washington Starters
Heffley (C), Corpuz (LF), Mays (DP), Todoroki (1B), Layfield (2B), Skotz (SS), Hayward (CF), Lew (3B), Gilliland (RF), Greene (P)
How it Happened
The emergence of
Avery Vale-Cruz as an ace continued for Rhode Island, as the sophomore lefty pitched the first complete-game shutout of her career to lead the Rams to a 3-0 win at George Washington.
Vale-Cruz (5-5) struck out five batters and allowed just three singles. The performance capped a week in which she tossed four complete games, going 3-1 with one save as she led the Rams (13-31, 6-16 Atlantic 10) to a four-win week.
Rhody broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth.
Hannah Hernandez reached on a two-out infield single.
Katie Knarr followed by reaching on an error that allowed Hernandez to score all the way from first.
An inning later,
Casey Miller delivered a two-out double to drive in pinch runner
Mandi Hanewich for a 2-0 lead. In the seventh,
Katie Knarr padded the lead with a run-scoring single that drove in
Ella Morris with URI's third run.
GW (30-18, 14-9 A-10) did not get a runner past second base all game.
Inside the Box Score
- Sophomore Avery Vale-Cruz was 3-1 with a 0.68 earned run average and one save over 31.0 innings of work in five appearances this week.
- She had 28 strikeouts and allowed just seven walks on the week.
- Freshman Ella Morris had two singles and scored one run.
- Junior Hannah Hernandez singled, had two sacrifice bunts and scored one run.
- Junior Casey Miller doubled and drove in one run.
- Freshman Allison Jones singled and drew a walk.
- Freshman Katie Knarr had her team-leading 39th hit and her team-leading 22nd RBI.
- Senior Noelle Sterner and junior Kylie Bulinski each had one single. Bulinski also was hit by a pitch.
Up Next
Rhode Island hosts Stonehill in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, May 1. The first game begins at 2:30 p.m. and both contests are scheduled to stream on ESPN+.