A pair of pitching gems from Maddi Duncan and Katelyn Kotlarz guided the Briar Cliff softball team to a sweep of Peru State Wednesday afternoon in Peru, Nebraska. Duncan tossed an eight-strikeout no-hitter in game one, followed by a one-hit complete game from Kotlarz.

"Today our pitching staff really shined, giving up just one hit through 14 innings," said head coach Erin Bly. "I have to give all the credit to Coach Bryce and the staff as they have worked incredibly hard this season. Offensively we found a way to score, but we have to get better at executing our plan at the plate. We gave up way too many hittable pitches early in the count and this week we'll look to sure that up before conference play. In game one, Ali Naumann did a great job hitting the ball hard and producing when we needed and game two saw some clutch hits from Kenadee Loew and Kylee Lukes."

Game 1 – W, 2-0
The Chargers tallied four hits through the first six innings, but were unable to break through the Bobcats defense as the score remained tied 0-0. Peru State's managed runners on first and second in the bottom of the second after two walks, but Duncan ended the inning with a strikeout. All three outs in that frame were courtesy of Duncan strikeouts.

Briar Cliff loaded the bases in the top of the seventh after Jessica James was hit by a pitch, followed by back-to-back singles from Kennedy Andersen and Karis Gifford. In the next at-bat, Callie Billings reached by fielder's choice, but James was called out at home plate.

Naumann delivered the clutch hit for the Cliff, singling to left field and driving in pinch runner Veronica Pitzl and Gifford. The Chargers were called out for runner interference in the next at-bat, but took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

Duncan closed off her no-hit bid in the final frame, forcing a ground out in the first at-bat followed by consecutive swinging strikeouts. She struck out eight total batters.

Gifford and Andersen each recorded two hits, while Lukes tallied two stolen bases. The Chargers totaled eight hits in the contest.
 
Game 2 – W, 3-1
The Chargers got on the board early, scoring one run in the first and second innings. Billings singled to left field and advanced to second on the same play, Naumann grounded out to the pitcher was able to advance Billings to third. Andersen put the ball in play, scoring Billings, while reaching base via error by the shortstop.

Kotlarz carried Duncan's momentum in the pitching circle into game two, striking out six batters for the first six outs of the game.

Aubrey Chichurka doubled to lead off the second inning, and was brought home by a Kenadee Loew single to put the Chargers up 2-0.

After the Bobcats scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, Lukes added an insurance run in the fifth with a single that scored Pitzl. Kotlarz retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning all off swinging strikeouts. The Charger defense recorded nine straight outs without allowing a base runner to close out the 3-1 win.

Kotlarz threw a one-hit, one-run complete game with 11 strikeouts.

Lukes recorded two hits and as a team the Cliff notched nine. Gifford and Chichurka each tallied extra base hits.

The Chargers improved to 16-6 on the season and will kick off GPAC play this Sunday against Mount Marty at the Dordt Dome in Sioux Center, Iowa. Game one is set for 2:00 p.m.