HAVERFORD, Pa. - Jen DiCandilo's hot bat helped the Haverford College softball team to a sweep of a non-conference doubleheader against Penn State-Abington at Class of '95 Field on Thursday afternoon. The Fords took down the Nittany Lions, 14-2, in Game 1 and capped off the day with a 13-1 victory in Game 2.
Striking her third home run of the season, DiCandilo finished with seven RBIs on the day to lead the potent Haverford attack. The Fords (14-11-1) tallied 24 hits on the afternoon to overwhelm PSU-Abington (7-15).
Haverford struck for six runs in the bottom of the second frame of Game 1 to move out to a 7-1 lead. Jill Schnall provided a big blow in the inning with her second home run of the season while DiCandilo and Laura Iwanyk also exhibited power with a double and triple, respectively.
Continuing the offensive surge, the Fords tacked on four more runs in the third. Dayle Comerford's single through the left side plated Lauren Touey and Elizabeth Newman and Sarah Brody's double brought home two more.
Newman and Brittany Stevenson drew back-to-back walks to open the fourth and DiCandilo made sure they were not on base long as she brought them home with a three-run blast down the left field line.
Giving up just two hits in three innings, Touey (1-0) earned the first win of her collegiate career.
Haverford went right back to work in Game 2 as it quickly took the lead with two runs in the first. DiCandilo was at it again as her double to left field brought home Newman who had worked a lead-off walk. Touey scored on Comerford's ground out for the second run of the inning.
Exploding for 10 runs in the second on 11 hits, the Fords took command of the contest. DiCandilo, Comerford, and Stephanie Wolfson delivered three-straight doubles in the frame to key the offensive attack.
The two teams traded runs in the fourth to account for the final score.
Erin Delaney went 3-for-3 in the nightcap to lead Haverford. Newman, DiCandilo, and Brody added two hits apiece.
Mirroring Touey's feat in Game 1, Wolfson (1-0) allowed just three hits in three innings of work to earn the first win of her career.
The Fords move back into Centennial Conference play on Saturday when they host Franklin & Marshall for an afternoon twinbill. The action begins at 1 p.m.