WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University softball team closed out its 2014 season on the road Saturday afternoon and dropped a pair of North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) games, 9-2 and 5-3, to Wilson College. This was the final games for Gallaudet's senior class of Katie Alfsen (St. Augustine, Fla.), Victoria Rainey (Danvers, Ill.), Caitlin Stevens (Glen Allen, Va.) and Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.).

Wilson (13-11, 9-7 NEAC) took an early 5-0 lead over the Bison (13-25, 5-15 NEAC) in the bottom of the first inning as the Phoenix took advantage of three GU errors and four hits. In the third inning, Gallaudet chipped away at the lead and scored twice. Junior Mia Fernandez (Artesia, N.M.) doubled home Sweigart and junior Elena Ciccarelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.). The Bison left the bases loaded in the fourth and left six runners on base over the final four innings as they couldn't push across another run. Wilson scored four additions runs to secure the seven-run win.

Junior starting pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) took the loss as she allowed nine runs (six earned) on 12 hits and four walks. Wilson's Taylor Crouse (8-3) earned the win as struck out nine batters.

The Bison took an early lead in the second game, as they scored three runs in the first three innings while holding Wilson scoreless. Heading into the fifth inning, Gallaudet was still in control of its own destiny with a 3-0 lead over the Phoenix. Unfortunately for the Bison, the Wilson offense came to life and scored five runs. Gallaudet wasn't able to recover and lost 5-3.

Rainey, Fernandez and sophomore shortstop Chelsea Lee (South Brunswick, N.J.) had two hits each. Ciccarelli had a solo home run in the third inning. Sweigart (7-12) lost her final game in the circle as she allowed five runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out two.

Crouse picked up her ninth win as she allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits, walked three and struck out nine Bison batters, again.

Sweigart pitched the full six innings for the Bison, allowing eight hits, five runs, and one walk, while striking out two.

Gallaudet finished the season on a down swing, losing its final eight games, after starting the season 7-4 the Bison went 6-21 the rest of the season.

Here is a look at the final numbers tallied by Gallaudet's four seniors.

Stevens, a four-year letterwinner, played 98 games with 86 starts. She had a .191 batting average with 26 RBI, 41 hits, 29 runs, six doubles and five triples. Defensively, Stevens had 491 putouts and 17 assists while playing first base.

Sweigart, a four-year letterwinner, played in 122 games with 119 starts. She had a .290 batting average with 61 RBI, 95 hits, 53 runs, 16 doubles, eight triples and four home runs. Defensively, Sweigart had 72 putouts and 110 assists. As a pitcher, Sweigart had an overall record of 22-42 where she pitched in 74 games (63 starts). 

Rainey, a three-year letterwinner, played in 81 games with 63 starts. She had a .236 batting average, with 16 RBI, 27 runs, 38 hits, four doubles, three triples and one home run. Rainey had 80 putouts with four assists playing outfield and shortstop.

Alfsen played one year for the Bison as she played in 18 games with 13 starts. She had a .219 batting average, with five RBI, seven hits, seven runs and one triple. Alfsen had 19 putouts with 15 assists playing second base and right field.