WALTHAM, Mass. – Led by a pair of strong performances from seniors Lauren Washburn (Carmichael, Calif.) and Morgan Perry (Bethany, Conn.), the nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College softball team blanked Bentley University, 3-0 and 7-0, on Saturday afternoon.

Perry fanned a career-high 17 strikeouts in the game one victory, setting the program's single-game strikeout mark which she had already matched earlier this season. With 602 career strikeouts, she is 32 away from second place on the all-time list as Lisa Petell '99 holds that spot currently with 633 to her credit.

The Hawks' bats kept on going in game two, recording 10 hits in the game for the team's highest total since Feb. 29, 2020 against Western Oregon. Washburn posted a career-high four hits and two runs batted in to lead the Hawks offense.

The Hawks, ranked 16th in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Coaches' Poll, improve to 5-1 on the season while the Falcons fall to 2-4. The Hawks are back on Monday, Apr. 5 as they finish their four-game series at Bentley with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.

The last time the Hawks did not allow a single run to their opponents was back on Feb. 28, 2020 when Saint Anselm defeated Cedarville (8-0) and Felician (9-0) down in Winter Haven, Fla. Saturday's doubleheader marked the first time that the Hawks held one single opponent scoreless in a twinbill since Apr. 29, 2017 against Stonehill.

GAME ONE – No. 16 Saint Anselm 3, Bentley 0 (Box Score)

Perry opened the game by striking out the first five of seven batters in the first two innings. Neither team was able to find the offense in the opening three innings until the Hawks scored in the fourth inning.

Junior Bre Klaiber (Ironton, Ohio) began the fourth inning with a lead-off triple to right field, followed by a Washburn single through the right side of the infield. Washburn recorded her first run batted in, bringing home Klaiber. Senior Erin Thompson (Danville, N.H.) later reached first on a fielding error, advancing Washburn to third. Saint Anselm was unable to convert in the rest of the inning, holding a 1-0 advantage with three innings remaining.

The Hawks kept the offensive attack going in the fifth inning as Washburn drove freshman Brianna Belisle (South Burlington, Vt.) home from second base with a single to left field. Saint Anselm scored one more run in the top of the sixth to conclude the game one scoring. With a runner on second, junior Bailey Cain (Wellington, Fla.) singled to left field, scoring senior Abbie Murrell (Scarborough, Maine) to increase the Hawks lead.

Perry would close the contest with four strikeouts, securing the Hawks 3-0 win. Perry allowed five hits over a full seven innings pitched, earning her third win of the season. Over three appearances, Perry has struck out 48 batters and has not yielded a single run in those contests.

Klaiber went 3-for-4 on the day, scoring one run while leading her team in game one hits. Washburn had two runs batted in and Belisle played in her first collegiate game.

Elise Pereira of the Falcons threw four innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out two batters. Lauren Calabrese wrapped up the game for the Falcons, allowing four hits and two runs.

GAME TWO – No. 16 Saint Anselm 7, Bentley 0 (Box Score)

Sophomore Kylie Fitzpatrick (Danville, N.H.) started the second game with an RBI single, scoring Klaiber in the first inning. Later in the game, Washburn drove home senior Shannon Colson (Rochester, N.H.) from second base, increasing the Hawks lead to 2-0 in the third inning.

Two innings later, Klaiber reached first on a dropped fly ball by the center fielder before Washburn found the left-center gap to score Klaiber, bringing the Hawks to a 3-0 advantage.

The Hawks picked up the offense in the last two innings, scoring two runs in each frame to clinch the win and earn the sweep over the Falcons. Freshman Gracie O'Hara (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led off the top of the sixth with a triple to center field, the first of her career. Later in the inning, the Falcons' catcher misplayed a throw and allowed a passed ball, scoring O'Hara from third. With sophomore Jess Persechino (Torrington, Conn.) on second, Colson reached second on a throwing error which allowed Persechino to score on the miscue.

In the seventh, Murrell ripped a double to center field, sending Fitzpatrick and freshman Hannah Ramer (Rehoboth, Mass.) home with additional runs for the Hawks.

In the circle, sophomore McKenna Smith (Old Town, Maine) threw her fourth career complete game and her first of the 2021 season, striking out eight batters while also drawing three walks. Murrell also recorded two runs batted in and finished the day with a four-game hitting streak.

Melissa Landry of the Falcons threw the first two innings, surrendering two hits and three runs before Payton Doiron ended the game, allowing eight hits while fanning two batters.