The Misericordia University softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, defeating old PAC rival Neumann 4-1, 8-0.

Senior Kat Lucenti (9-9) earned the victory in both games, allowing just six hits, two walks and one run over 11 innings of work.

Middle infielders Courtney Novajosky and Nicole Wenner each contributed at the plate and made big defensive plays to help MU to a pair of victories.

Novajosky was a combined 4-for-8 with two RBIs and three runs scored across both contests. Wenner hit 1-for-3 in both games, adding an RBI and a run scored in each.

In the first game, Novajosky made a great diving stop and flip to Gina Urbon to get the first out of the game. Then in the bottom of the first, Novajosky led off with a single, stole second, and was eventually brought home by Wenner's single.

Neumann tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fifth, MU had the bases loaded and Nicole Hoskins cleared them, batting in Caitlin Cromley and Wenner, with Hollie Sarnak also scoring on a throwing error.

Hoskins was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while centerfielder Jill Castaldi was also 2-for-3. Outfielders Cromley and Maria Kidron each went 2-for-4 in the opening victory.

MU won the nightcap 8-0, pounding out 12 hits in just five innings.

Sarnak and Hoskins were each 2-for-3 in the second game, while Cromley was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

A big double play got the Cougars out of the first, as Wenner threw to Urbon at first, who gunned down a runner trying to go from third to home.

The Cougars reached the eight-run mercy rule with big rallies in the third and fifth innings. Novajosky ended the game in the bottom of the fifth by bringing in Ashley Ballard and Urbon.

Wenner made a highlight-reel play in the top of the fourth, diving to stop a grounder from getting through the infield and then flipping the ball to second while lying on the ground to get a force-out.

The Cougars improve to 14-11 and will host DeSales on Sunday. Before that game, Misericordia will unveil a plaque honoring Hall of Famer Charlotte Slocum, the former MU softball coach.