The Briar Cliff softball team racked up 15 runs on 21 hits in their home opening sweep of College of Saint Mary Friday at Bishop Mueller Complex.
 
"Im really happy with how the team bounced back today. We worked really hard in practice to be more intentional about moving and scoring runners," said head coach Erin Bly. "I'm really happy with the execution. I thought all-around we had really nice approaches at the plate, ran well, and overall just did a nice job driving the ball.:
 
Ali Naumann extended her hitting streak to 10 games today, while Sydney Lierman moved her hit streak to eight.
 
"Defensively I was really pleased to see our defense bring it every inning. We made some fantastic plays and it's a real testament to the work they put in every day," said Bly.
 
Game 1 – W, 6-1
With runners on first and third in the opening inning, the Chargers were aggressive on the basepath as Callie Billings stole second, creating confusion that allowed Karis Gifford to steal home. BC tacked on four runs in the first inning, as Kylee Lukes, Sydney Lierman and Jessica James all drove in runs.
 
The Flames scored their only run of the game in the top of the third, after a walk and double to right center. The Chargers added insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Gifford's single drove in pinch-runner Montie Ricther. Gifford would later score to make the score 6-1 after a Ali Naumann single.
 
A CSM double in the top of the sixth put a runner in scoring position, but a Maddi Duncan strikeout followed by a fly out ended the Flames' inning. The Chargers were held in check in the bottom of the sixth, and relief pitcher Morgan Jones closed out the win with a scoreless seventh inning of work.
 
Three Chargers recorded two hits each in Gifford, Naumann and Karina Cupples. Five different Chargers recorded an RBI and Gifford scored twice and stole two bases.
 
Duncan earned her 13th win with a 6.0 inning, five strikeout and one run performance. Jones threw one scoreless inning and allowed one hit.
 
Game 2 – W, 9-0 (five innings)
With runners on second and third for the Flames in the first, a hit in the infield resulted in a play at the play where the Chargers were able to force the out. A Katelyn Kotlarz strikeout ended the Flames chances of first inning runs.
 
Back-to-back singles by Gifford and Cupples put Naumann in a prime position to put runs on the board. A single through the left side, with an error by the center fielder, brought home both Charger runners. Naumann and Lukes scored later in the inning on a Lierman double to go up 4-0.
 
With the Charger bats hot to begin game two, Kotlarz made quick work of the second inning to bring BC back to the plate. With a runner on first, she forced a line out to Lukes at shortstop who made the throw in time at first to force the inning ending double play.
 
Lierman scored Lukes in the third with a single, and later scored off a Gifford single to put the Cliff up 6-0. The Chargers scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, pushing their lead to 9-0 heading into the fifth. Lierman and Kennedy Andersen recorded RBIs and Lukes scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Flames found a baserunner after drawing a walk, but a strikeout followed by a popout ended the game in five innings by the eight-run rule.
 
Four Chargers recorded multiple hits in the contest and four tallied an RBI. Lukes scored three runs and stole a base.
 
Kotlarz picks up her ninth win after striking out eight batters in 5.0 scoreless innings.
 
The Chargers return to action on Monday against Jamestown in Aberdeen, South Dakota at 12 and 2 p.m.