WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University softball team is off to the best start in program history as the Bison swept a home doubleheader 12-0, 10-2 in five innings on a blustery, cold Thursday afternoon against an overmatched Trinity (D.C.) University squad.

Gallaudet is now 8-0 on the season but will look to get tested in Florida during Spring Break after facing four teams, who are a combined 3-25, to start the year.

Junior pitcher Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) picked up her fourth win of the season in the first game as she walked one batter, struck out seven and allowed one hit in four innings of work. She also did damage at the plate as she went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and a RBI. Seven of the nine Bison batters had at least one hit against Trinity pitcher Payne Sardai (0-2), who walked 11 batters in the game.

In the second game, sophomore pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) earned her fourth win as she matched Sweigart's line with one hit, one walk and seven strikeouts in four innings pitched. Senior outfielder Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) led the offense with a 2-for-2 performance that include a double, two runs scored and one RBI. Sophomore Elena Ciccarelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.) had a two-run triple in the second inning as she finished with three RBIs and one run scored. GU scored six runs in the first and four in the second.

The Bison showed good sportsmanship towards the Tigers, a first-year program, as they didn't run up the score and helped with providing outs to move both games along.

Trinity (0-4) scored its first runs of the season in the top of the fifth inning as Tsion Ghirmai singled to left field to score Sardai and Glendy Luque.

The Bison will next face Division II foe Bemidji State University (4-11) from Minnesota on Sunday, March 17, in Titusville, Fla., at the Chain of Lakes Park Field No. 7 at 11 a.m. for two games.