Softball Powers Past George Washington in A-10 Quarterfinals

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Bronx, N.Y. – Behind two four-run innings, the Fordham softball team began its Atlantic 10 Championship defense with an 8-0 five-inning win over sixth-seeded George Washington on Thursday afternoon. With the victory, the Rams advance to tomorrow's semifinal at noon against top-seeded Massachusetts. Fordham improves to 31-21 overall on the year, while the Colonials fall to 33-20.
 
Madie Aughinbaugh twirled her second consecutive shutout and eighth of the year in the circle and four Rams combined for four big run-scoring extra-base hits in the third and frame en route to the quick victory. Aughinbaugh led off the third frame with a single to center, stole second and third, and came home to score on Paige Rauch's double over the head of centerfielder Jaclyn Kweder. The offense continued the rally with two outs as Madi Shaw launched her second straight double, this time off the centerfield wall, to score Rauch, and scored herself on Chelsea Skrepenak's booming two-run shot to dead center to give the hosts a 4-0 lead.
 

After Aughinbaugh worked around a pair of singles in the third, the Rams offense went to work again against George Washington starter Sierra Lange. Fordham loaded the bases with no outs via a Lauren Quense walk, a Maria Trivelpiece single through the left side, and an Aughinbaugh bunt single. Head coach Bridget Orchard opted to bring in junior Jordy Storm to pinch-hit for Brianna Pinto and Storm rewarded her coach's faith with a no-doubt bomb over the wall in right, a grand slam for her first collegiate home run, capping the scoring at eight runs. Aughinbaugh worked around an one-out single to finish the game.

 
Aughinbaugh and Shaw led the way with a pair of hits each. Rauch, Skrepenak, Storm, and Trivelpiece each notched one hit apiece. Aughinbaugh paced the offense with a pair of runs. The sophomore's eight shutouts this year tie Jen Mineau in 2012 and Rachel Gillen in 2015 for the third-most in a single campaign in program history, while it's also the 11^th of her career, tying current Massachusetts assistant coach Chelsea Plimpton for fifth all-time.
 
The Rams and Minutewomen will face off in Friday's first contest with first pitch set for 12 p.m.