WASHINGTON, D.C. – There was no shortage of runs or wind on Monday afternoon as Gallaudet University swept a doubleheader with Valley Forge Christian College by scoring 18 runs in each game to halt the action after five innings at the GU Softball Complex. Gallaudet tallied 28 hits including six doubles, two triples and one home run over the Patriots (0-10) as the Bison won 18-0, 18-5, respectively.

The victories are the first official wins for Gallaudet (2-14) this season as the NCAA has deemed Saturday's doubleheader sweep with Trinity's club team an exhibition, thus the results and statistics do not count.

Gallaudet put up 10 runs in the first inning of the first inning, highlighted by the first-ever home run by a Bison at the new field. Sophomore Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) stepped to the plate for a second time in the first inning on the blustery day and unleashed a three-run home run that cleared the left field fence. She finished the first game 3-for-3 and was a triple shy of the cycle as she scored twice and drove in six runs. Junior third baseman Leeza Cantu (Selma, Calif.) was 4-for-4 in the first game with two singles, double and triple as she just missed the cycle as she scored twice and knocked in two. Freshman catcher Elena Ciccarelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.) went 2-for-3, including a triple in the first inning, scored three times and recorded two RBI. Eight of Gallaudet's starters scored two or more times as four Bison had two or more hits.

The first inning explosion of runs was enough for freshman pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) to earn her first collegiate win as she pitched a complete game. She allowed three hits, walked four Patriots and struck out seven to improve her record to 1-8.

In the second game, Valley Forge got on the scoreboard first with a four-run first frame against Sweigart (1-5). Gallaudet's offense responded in the bottom of the first with another 10-run inning as the Bison knocked Valley Forge starting pitcher Courtney Boden out before the third out was recorded. Sophomore shortstop Kara Gulvas (Crown Point, Ind.) went 3-for-3 from the leadoff spot to pace the offense. Gulvas scored three runs and recorded a team-high four RBI. The first three batters for the Bison scored three runs each as three different Bison had two or more hits in the 13-run win.

Sweigart settled down after the first and allowed five runs (two earned) in five innings pitched, walked three and struck out two.

GU will next turn its attention to the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) when the Bison open conference play on Wednesday, March 28, with a home doubleheader against Wilson College at 3 p.m.