NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware pitchers Carolynn Sloat and Lindsay Jones each threw shutouts while Allison Borchers (right) extended her hitting streak to a school-record 15 games as the Blue Hen softball team swept a doubleheader from Bucknell, 5-0 and 8-0 in five innings, Wednesday afternoon at Delaware Field.

Borchers went 3 for 4 with a double, triple, run scored and RBI in the opener as she tied the previous hit streak record of 14 games set in the 2002 and 2003 seasons by Laura Streets, and broke the mark in the nightcap by singling up the middle in her first at bat. She also set a new UD record with 96 total bases this season and has tied the single-season runs record of 36 set by Mandy Welch in 1999.

Delaware, which improved to 30-17 following the sweep and reached the 30-win plateau for just the third time in school history and the first time since 2000, struck first in the opener by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Borchers led off with a double to leftcenter, and after she advanced to third on a double to center by Katie Lee, Borchers scored on a sacrifice fly by Kim Ovittore. Barbara Traynor followed with a single up the middle to score Lee and give the Blue Hens an early two-run lead.

Delaware held its 2-0 advantage until the bottom of the sixth, when the Blue Hens scored three runs to put the game away. With two outs and nobody on base Michelle Plant singled to left, and after she moved to second on a wild pitch, Plant advanced to third on a single to center by Marianne Marinella. Jenny Gilkins then singled to right to score both runners, and Borchers followed with a triple to right as Gilkins scored the fifth run of the game.

That would be more than enough for Sloat, who allowed just two hits and did not walk a batter while recording striking out seven to post her seventh shutout of the season and the 21st of her career. Sloat improved to 17-12 this year as she moved into a tie for third place on the school’s single-season wins list, while Bucknell pitcher Christie Wiest allowed five runs on 10 hits with one strikeout while falling to 3-12 on the year for the Bison, who dropped to 14-34.

Delaware struck first in the nightcap by scoring three unearned runs in the bottom of the second. With two outs and nobody on base walks to Marinella, Courtney Kelly and Borchers loaded the bases. After Marinella scored the first run of the game when Lee reached on an error by Bison shortstop Kris Devore, Ovittore followed with a single up the middle to plate Kelly and Borchers as the Blue Hens took a 3-0 lead.

Marinella singled and Kelly walked to lead off the fourth, and one out later Lee reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Ovittore then singled up the middle to score Marinella, and Kelly came home on a fielder’s choice by Traynor to make it a five-run game. After a walk to Quinn Megargel loaded the bases, Plant drilled a two-run single up the middle to score Ovittore and Traynor to put Delaware up 7-0.

In the fifth Kate Termini led off with a single up the middle, moved to second on a groundout by Kelly, and scored on a triple to right by Gilkins to invoke the mercy run and end the game.

Blue Hen starter Lindsay Jones hurled her third shutout of the season after allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five to improve to 12-5 on the season. Bucknell starter Meaghan Haley gave up three unearned runs on three hits in three innings of work as she dropped to 3-5 on the year.

Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association action this weekend with a crucial three-game series at James Madison. The Blue Hens and Dukes will play a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday, with action on both days beginning at 12 noon.

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