ERIE, Pa. – Tuesday was one of those rare days when almost everything goes right for a college softball team.
 
Coach Michelle Wiley's Gannon softball team ran its winning streak to four games with its second consecutive doubleheader sweep as it beat rival Edinboro 8-0 in five innings and 5-1 at McConnell Family Stadium.
 
There were so many compelling storylines for the Golden Knights:

• In Game 1, Gannon gets its third consecutive mercy-rule win in Game 1 as the Knights strike for 12 hits in five innings.
• Pitcher Maggie Lenda (East Aurora, N.Y./Iroquois) pitches a three-hitter for fifth consecutive outstanding performance.
• First baseman Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic) goes 6-for-6 in the doubleheader as she runs her streak to nine consecutive hits.
• In Game 2, Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) rips her first career grand slam and then hits an RBI single as she drives in all five Gannon runs.
• Freshman pitcher Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) makes her first appearance at McConnell Family Stadium and pitches a complete game while striking out 12.
• Gannon moved to 13-9 overall and upped its third-place record to 8-4 in the PSAC West.

Here's a look at the two games:

 

Gabi Vasi (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) talks about her first collegiate grand slam, which was the key hit in Gannon's 5-1 win over Edinboro in Game 2.@Gannon_Softball pic.twitter.com/D4QsK9a67W

— Gannon Athletics (@GUKnights) April 10, 2024

 
Game 1: Gannon 8, Edinboro 0
 
Jules Ryan (Collegeville, Pa./Spring Ford) kept Gannon's offense hot by driving a pitch well over the left-field fence for a first-inning, two-run homer.
 
Freshman Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong) continued her fine start to her college career by ripping a two-run double into the left-center-field gap to spark a five-run fourth inning.
 
Mallozzi led the Knights with her second consecutive 3-for-3 game as she hit two doubles and a single, scored a run and drove in a run.
 
Ryan, Clontz, and Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) each had two hits for Gannon.
 
Lenda improved to 7-2 by holding the Fighting Scots scoreless on three hits. She struck out five and walked two.
 

 
Game 2: Gannon 5, Edinboro 1
 
The Fighting Scots (5-17, 2-8) led 1-0 in the fourth inning when Vasi delivered the big hit of the day.  Batting with the bases loaded, the left-handed-hitting Vasi drilled a pitch to left-center, and the ball bounced off the top of the fence and over for a grand slam.

One inning later, she hit a single that drove home Mallozzi.

Mallozzi's red-hot hitting continued with her third consecutive 3-of-3 performance, including another double, as she scored twice.

Armstrong had been sidelined with an injury since Feb. 17, but she made her home-field debut in style. She limited Edinboro to one run on six hits while striking out 12.

 

How's this for hot hitting?
Natalia Mallozzi (Woodbridge, Ontario/Father Bressani Catholic):
Was 6-for-6 on Tuesday.
Has hits in 9 consecutive at-bats.
Has reached base in 11 straight plate appearances.
Has 14 hits in her past 15 at-bats.
Has reached base in 19 of her past 20 plate appearances.@Gannon_Softball @GannonU pic.twitter.com/HO8txBYRoe

— Gannon Athletics (@GUKnights) April 10, 2024

 
 
Mallozzi's moment:
 

Gannon's redshirt junior first baseman already was the PSAC West Athlete of the Week after a huge effort last week. Mallozzi is getting a good start on her second weekly honor after going 6-for-6 with three doubles-, three runs scored, and an RBI on Tuesday.
 
She has now had hits in nine consecutive at-bats and has reached base in 11 straight plate appearances.
 
The left-hander has been hitting line drives almost exclusively to the opposite field as she has 14 hits in her past 15 at-bats for a torrid .933 clip in her past six games. She has three homers, five doubles, and 10 RBIs in that span.
 
She has lifted her batting average from a solid .366 to a remarkable .518 (29-for-56) for the season. She now leads the PSAC in hitting.
 
Meanwhile, Vasi has lifted her batting average to .464 (26-for-56), which is tied for second in the PSAC.
 
What's ahead:
Gannon will play its second doubleheader in a row on Wednesday when it travels to Slippery Rock for a 2:30 p.m. twin bill.