The Misericordia University softball team clinched a Freedom Conference playoff spot with a sweep of Delaware Valley, 3-2 and 4-2, Saturday at Anderson Field.

The Cougars celebrated Senior Appreciation Day for their six departing student-athletes: Ashley Ballard, Nicole Hoskins, Kat Lucenti, Kristi McCluskey, Courtney Novajosky and Gina Urbon.

The senior class made important contributions as Lucenti picked up both pitching decisions and Ballard had a crucial hit in game one.

In the opener, a fourth-inning homer from Sarah Lazar, just the second hit of the game up to that point, gave the Aggies a 1-0 lead.

Delaware Valley pitcher Greer McComas took a no-hitter deep into the fourth inning. After Nicole Wenner reached on a fielder's choice and Caitlin Cromley reached on an error, Ballard smacked a two-out, two-RBI single to give MU the lead.

The Aggies tied it up in the top of the fifth, but Misericordia answered in the bottom of the inning as Hollie Sarnak singled to bring home Novajosky in what would go down as the winning run.

Lucenti scattered five hits and struck out four to earn the win.

In the nightcap, Sarnak led the MU offense by going 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs scored. Wenner was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

Down 1-0 early, freshman Nicole Boccia tied the game with a solo homer in the bottom of the second.

After Novajosky again provided the go-ahead run in the bottom of the third, Wenner twice doubled in Sarnak (in the third and fifth innings) to open up a 4-1 Cougar advantage.

Lucenti allowed four hits in five innings to earn her second win of the day. Cromley earned the save with two innings of relief work.

Down 4-2, the Aggies threatened in the final inning but freshman Jen Cory gunned down a baserunner at home for the second out as MU escaped.

Misericordia is on a six-game winning streak, its longest of the season. The Cougars are 20-13, 7-5 and will travel to York for a doubleheader tomorrow.