WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Gallaudet University softball team was on the verge of winning its first game of the season in the first of two non-conference games Tuesday against Wesley College on the new turf field. The Bison led 4-2 heading into the sixth inning but their pitching gave out as the Wolverines scored 10 runs to take the first game 12-4 in six. Wesley (10-8) followed that win up with a 14-6 triumph over winless Gallaudet (0-12).

The Bison committed a season high 10 errors in the field in the second game and made three in the first game. GU was able to score runs against Wesley in the first game when the buff and blue scored three in the bottom half of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Junior Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) had a two-run double in the third. She finished the doubleheader 5-for-7, two runs, four RBI and one double.

Gallaudet scored another run in the bottom of the fifth when junior catcher Nicole O'Malley (Fredericksburg, Va.) ran home from third base on a wild pitch. O'Malley scored three runs in the doubleheader.

Bison starting pitcher Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) ran out of steam in the sixth when Wesley led-off with a double, single and a GU fielding error would prolong the inning. Gallaudet coach Joseph Kolcun pulled Sweigart after back-to-back singles and brought in Johnson to pitch. Johnson lasted five batters before Kolcun brought Sweigart (0-4) back in to finish the game. Wesley scored 10 runs in the decisive inning but only three of those runs were earned.

In the second game, both teams scored two runs in the first before the Wolverines scored two, one, six runs to take an 11-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore shortstop Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) collected three hits, one double, one run and one RBI from the leadoff spot. Johnson batted 3-for-4, scored two runs and drove in two runs in the loss. Gulvas combined to bat 5-for-6 in the doubleheader as she scored two runs and collected two RBI.

Freshman pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) pitched the complete game and allowed 14 runs (three earned), on 12 hits, six walks and five wild pitches. Murphy (0-7) had several bad breaks as Bison errors in the field kept Wesley at the plate on several different instances.

Wesley was led offensively by Jessica Barranco (6-for-10), three runs, four RBI followed by Tamerra Starr (4-for-8), four runs and Nikki Burton (3-for-8), two runs, two doubles and five RBI. Each Wesley player that started both games scored at least twice with most scoring three times. Meghan McGonigle (3-0) earned the win in the first game as she allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits. Taylor Hendricks (3-0) was the winning pitcher in the second game as she surrendered six runs (three earned) on 11 hits, walked three and struck out two.

GU will hit the road on Thursday, March 22, and face Mary Baldwin College on the road for a non-conference doubleheader that starts at 3 p.m.