HORNELL, N.Y. -- The third-ranked Bombers swept a doubleheader at Alfred, winning the first game 6-1 and the second game 9-1 in five innings. With the wins, the Bombers clinched their fifth Empire 8 regular season title in the past six years and extended their winning streak to 16 games. Ithaca will host the Empire 8 Championship Tournament May 5-7.

 

The Bombers benefited from 19 hits, including three home runs, in the doubleheader. That is the most home runs the Bombers have hit in a doubleheader all season. In the first game, the Bombers scored two runs each in the third, fourth and seventh innings. Senior Kaitlyn Dulac (Bay View/East Greenwich, R.I.) went 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and senior Leigh Bonkowski (The Williams School/Mystic, Conn.) hit a solo home run in the seventh inning, her second of the season. Junior Hannah Shalett (Shepaug Valley/Bridgewater, Conn.) had two hits and scored twice for the Bombers. Sophomore Nicole Cade (Beaverton/Portland, Ore.) won her 14th game, allowing one run, six hits and striking out a career-high 13 in a complete game.

 

In the second game, the Bombers trailed for the first time during their win streak after Alfred scored a run in the top of the first inning. The Bombers tied the game in the second and exploded for seven runs in the third. Dulac led off the inning with a home run and sophomore Stacey Pelesz (Hudson/Livingston) hit a three-run home run as the Bombers sent 12 players to the plate. Sophomore Jess Stangarone (Brewster/Brewster) went 2-for-3 with two runs and had four assists from second base. Sophomore Carly Myers (Claremont Secondary/Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) won her 13th game of the season, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five.

 

The Bombers (28-2, 10-0 Empire 8) host RIT (13-13, 3-5 Empire 8) in their final Empire 8 doubleheader of the season Tuesday at 3 p.m.