MANCHESTER, N.H. – The nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College softball team completed the doubleheader sweep over American International College on Wednesday afternoon after claiming two wins at Judy Groff Field.

The Hawks, ranked 18th in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Coaches' Poll, improve to 3-1 on the season while the Yellow Jackets fall to 3-5. Saint Anselm intends to schedule an opponent for the upcoming weekend. Details, including game dates and times, will be released once determined.

In game one, senior Erin Thompson (Newton, N.H.) led the Hawks with three hits and three runs batted in to help Saint Anselm earn the victory. Thompson has now posted two three-hit games in the 2021 campaign. She tied her career-high, single-game RBI mark with three, dating back to her freshman and sophomore years.

Senior Courtney Fisher (Taunton, Mass.) and sophomore McKenna Smith (Old Town, Maine) helped the Hawks complete the sweep in game two, recording a team shutout between the two pitchers. Fisher also earned her first win of the 2021 season, striking out seven batters in the process. Fisher was one strikeout away from tying her career-high back on Apr. 14, 2018 against Assumption.

Sophomore Kylee Royer (Blackshear, Ga.) had her first collegiate hit in game two, finishing the day with a career-high two hits and an RBI double. She also started her first collegiate game at first base.

GAME ONE – No. 18 Saint Anselm 5, American Int'l 0 (Box Score)

The Hawks were dialed in against the Yellow Jackets in the opening game, recording nine hits and totaling five runs. Senior Lauren Washburn (Carmichael, Calif.) launched her team's first home run this season as the fourth long ball of her career cleared the fence in left field.

Washburn's solo shot was enough for the victory as the Hawks never looked back, adding a two-run single from Thompson in the third inning to increase the Hawks advantage to 3-0.

Neither team was able to convert again on any scoring opportunities until the top of the seventh when Thompson slapped another single, bringing home sophomore Jess Persechino (Torrington, Conn.). Thompson then stole second base, putting runners on second and third. Senior Abbie Murrell (Scarborough, Maine) kept the scoring going, singling and scoring Washburn from third.

Senior Morgan Perry (Bethany, Conn.) earned her second win of the season, throwing a two-hitter while striking out 15 batters in the process. Perry was one strikeout away from tying her Sunday total of 16 that tied the program record for single-game strikeouts. Perry claimed her 34th win in the past 35 appearances. Perry is also five appearances away from tying Andrea Messina '03 with the most in program history with 105.

Freshman Gracie O'Hara (Shrewsbury, Mass.) also played in her first collegiate game.

GAME TWO – No. 18 Saint Anselm 2, American Int'l 0 (Box Score)

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning despite each team recording three hits. Senior Kat Stackrow (Wynantskill, N.Y.) opened the inning with a lead-off double, followed by a booming Royer double to bring her teammate home to break the draw.

Later in the inning, Persechino pinch ran for Royer before junior Bailey Cain (Wellington, Fla.) advanced her teammate to third off a groundout to third base. Colson laid down a sacrifice bunt down the right field line, allowing Persechino to score.

There were only three hits in the remainder of the game, and none helped put either team on the board.

Royer led the team with two hits, with four other Hawks student-athletes recording hits. Washburn and sophomore Kylie Fitzpatrick (Danville, N.H.) are currently on active three-game hitting streaks.

Fisher threw five and two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and just one walk. Smith came into relief in the sixth and shut down the Yellow Jackets in the rest of the contest, surrendering one hit and fanning one batter via a strikeout.

Kacie Allison of the Yellow Jackets threw four innings, giving up two runs and five hits while striking out two Hawks student-athletes. Isabella Erti closed the game for the hosts for the last three innings.