The Misericordia University softball swept King's, 3-0, 6-1, Saturday at Anderson Field to advance to the MAC Freedom Championship finals.

Alexa McHugh struck out nine and allowed just three hits in the opener and the Cougars scored in each of the first three innings.

Kaitlin Redling had two hits, an RBI and scored a run.

In the bottom of the first inning, Holub lined a one-out double off the fence in left center and came on Nicole Elliott's double to the same spot.

Kaitlin Redling coaxed a walk to lead off the second and moved to second when Megan Fenstermaker lined a 1-2 pitch into left field.  The Cougars made it 2-0 when McHugh's hard-hit ball was misplayed.

Elliott walked to lead off the third and came all the way around on Redling's two-out double into the left field corner.

King's best chance to score came in the top of the fourth when Kristi Skok reached second on an error to open the inning.  After two strikeouts, Gabrielle grounded a single up the middle, but Elliott made a diving stop behind the bag and threw a perfect strike to get Skok at the plate to end the inning.

The Monarchs put two runners on in the top of the seventh, but McHugh got a strikeout and a routine fly ball to end the game.

In the nightcap, Megan Fenstermaker had three hits for the Cougars and Brianna Holder had two RBI.  Maddie Holub, Nicole Elliott and Amanda Butera had two hits each.

Emily Wenner picked up the win while combining with McHugh on a five-hitter.

The Cougars scored twice in the second, third and fourth innings.

Holder drew a one-out walk in the second and moved up on Fenstermaker's single up the middle.  Antonia Pacillo to center to drive in a run and both runners moved on a throwing error.

McHugh followed with an RBI-single to center to make it 2-0.

Redling walked to open the third and raced to third on Butera's single up the middle with Butera moving up on the throw.

Holder singled through the right side to plate a pair of runs and give MU a 4-0 lead.

Zariah Alvin led off the fourth with a walk and Holub and Elliott followed with singles up the middle to load the bases.  After a pitching change and two strikeouts, Holder reached on an error that allowed two runs to score and put MU ahead, 6-0.
Misericordia is 23-4 and will face the winner between DeSales/Stevens in the finals.