Dayton defeats Explorers by combined 7-2 score

The University of Dayton Flyers extended their winning streak to four and moved into a tie with the Saint Louis Billikens for sixth place in the Atlantic 10 after sweeping the La Salle Explorers on Thursday.

UD (17-22, 9-6 A-10) beat La Salle 2-1 in the first game and 5-1 in the second game.  Junior Lauren Nacke was 3-for-6 in the series. Nacke homered and had three RBI against the Explorers. 

Junior Brandy Brown had a double and was 3-for-6 as well.  Freshman left-handed pitcher Alysha Isaacson made two appearances. Isaacson (10-9) pitched a complete game in the series opener. She had five strikeouts and allowed just one earned run. She also pitched one inning of relief in the second game.  Junior Sarah Wedel earned the win in game two. Wedel pitched 6.0 innings and had three strikeouts. Her win takes her to .500 on the year with a 5-5 record. 

The Flyers trailed early to the Explorers after a fielding error allowed La Salle’s Ali Shepherd to score in the first inning.  Sophomore Carlyn Harlow smacked a double to lead the top of the fifth inning off. Harlow scored on a fielding error to tie the game at one apiece.

Two at-bats later, sophomore Kathleen Maloof singled home Rachel Archer on a well-placed bunt to pull the Flyers ahead and eventually win the game, 2-1.  Isaacson allowed just two hits and struck out five batters in the game, while pitching a complete game against the Explorers. 

The Flyers struck first in the second game. Nacke, UD’s career RBI record holder drove Harlow home on a base hit.  UD scored again in the fifth inning after freshman Dana Trotta was walked with the bases loaded.  Ahead 2-0, the Flyers put up three more runs in the sixth inning. Nacke hit a huge three-run home run to put UD up by five with two innings left. 

La Salle scored one run in the bottom half of the fifth inning, but Dayton for the 5-1 victory.  Wedel had three strikeouts and allowed one earned run on three hits. Isaacson pitched one inning of relief retiring the side in order. 

Dayton will face Fordham on Saturday in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for Noon. Live streaming and stats are available at www.DaytonFlyers.com.