GW Softball Sweeps Doubleheader vs. Howard

Colonials improved to 13-3 with pair of home victories

WASHINGTON - Jayme Cone pitched a gem Tuesday afternoon, leading GW softball to a 9-1 win in five innings to complete a midweek doubleheader sweep of Howard.

In her first start since returning from elbow surgery, the senior hurler held the crosstown Bison in check over the five frames to earn her first complete-game victory since 2016.

Earlier in the day, the Colonials took an 11-9 slugfest on the Mount Vernon Campus, rallying for the victory with a three-run sixth inning.

Jessica Linquist led the Colonials offensively in the doubleheader, knocking in a team-high five runs, while Marta Fuentes recorded the go-ahead hit in the opener and finished the day with four hits, four runs scored and five stolen bases.

The Buff and Blue built on their program-best start, improving to 13-3 overall and 6-0 at home.

GW 11, Howard 9: The Colonials needed a couple clutch hits late to shake the Bison in the opener.

GW seemed in control with a 7-1 lead through three innings before the visitors battled back. Howard put up six runs in the top of the fourth to even the score.

Fuentes singled, stole second and scored on Jenna Cone's single in the fifth to put the Buff and Blue back on top, but the Bison responded with a pair in the sixth to take their first lead at 9-8.

Down a run, GW answered back with three in the bottom of the inning to go in front for good. With two on and two out, Fuentes grounded a single into right field to score Hannah Eslick and Sidney Bloomfield. The senior shortstop later scored on a throwing error by the pitcher to give the Buff and Blue some breathing room.

Sierra Lange got the last four outs in relief to earn her 10th win of the season. The sophomore hurler retired the Bison in order in the seventh to close out the victory.

Fuentes finished 3-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs in the opener. Linquist, Lange and Jenna Cone also knocked in two runs apiece.

Criza Bulanadi reached in all three of her plate appearances with two singles and a walk, plus a pair of stolen bases.

GW 9, Howard 1 (5 innings): The Colonials made quick work of the second game, pulling away with a five-run fourth for the run-rule victory.

Jayme Cone took advantage of her opportunity, limiting the Bison to a run on six hits. The California native allowed a hit in each inning, but avoided major trouble to improve to 2-0 on the season.

GW backed Cone with nine runs on nine hits. It was 3-1 in the fourth when the Colonials batted around to plate five more. 

Linquist had the key hit with a three-run double into the gap in left center. Jenna Cone and Priscilla Martinez also recorded RBIs in the frame.

After Cone posted another zero in the top of the fifth, GW won it on Mia Parker's RBI single scoring Olivia Ortlieb in the bottom. It was the first career hit for the first-year from California.

Eight different Colonials recorded hits in the second game, paced by Lange, who reached three times with two singles and a walk.

UP NEXT: GW continues its homestand this weekend, hosting the Colonial Classic at the Vern. The Buff and Blue are scheduled for five games over three days at the tournament, starting with matchups against Canisius (12 p.m.) and UMBC (2 p.m.) on Friday.