NEWARK, DE -- Junior pitcher Carolynn Sloat (right) fired a three-hit shutout in the opener and the Blue Hens scored eight runs in the second inning of the nightcap as the University of Delaware softball team swept a doubleheader from the University of Pennsylvania, 5-0 and 8-5, Wednesday afternoon at chilly Delaware Field.

Delaware, which improved to 11-5 after the two wins, opened the scoring in the bottom of the first in the opener by pushing across two runs without a hit as the Quakers committed four errors in the frame. The Blue Hens added a run in the third when Michelle Plant walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Kim Ovittore.

In the sixth Kate Termini worked a one-out walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Grau, and scored when Allison Brochers tripled to centerfield. Borchers then scored on the play when the throw by the Penn shortstop went all the way to the backstop.

That was more than enough support for Sloat, who allowed just three hits and did not walk a batter while striking out six as she posted her second shutout of the season and 16th of her career. Sloat improved to 5-4 on the season while Penn starter Emily Denstedt fell to 3-3 after allowing five runs, three earned, on four hits.

The Quakers, who dropped to 4-8 on the year, struck first in the nightcap when Stephanie Reichert led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Teresa Leyden, and scored on a two-out single by Christina Khosravi. In the second inning Penn had runners on second and third with two outs after the Blue Hens committed a pair of errors, and Reichert followed with a two-run single as the Quakers took a 3-0 advantage.

The lead would not last long, however, as Delaware erupted for eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the second. Quinn Megargel led off the frame by getting hit by a pitch, and walks to Jessica Kozlowski and Barbara Traynor loaded the bases with nobody out. Kate Termini then walked to force home Megargel with the Blue Hens’ first run, and one out later Borchers singled home Kozlowski. Katie DeSalvo then walked as Traynor came home with the tying run.

Olivia Mauro replaced Penn starter Lindsey Permar in the circle, but Plant greeted her with a two-run single to leftcenter to give Delaware a 5-3 lead. Ovittore then beat out an infield single to score DeSalvo, and a groundout by Megargel moved the runners to second and third. Plant then scored when Kozlowski beat out an infield single, and Traynor followed with a single through the left side to plate Ovittore and cap the rally.

The Quakers got a run back in the third when Annie Kiinsey led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Julia Cheney. Penn got within three runs in the fifth as Melissa Haffner singled home Kinsey, but the Quakers would not get closer.

Delaware starter Lindsay Jones gave up five runs, three earned, on nine hits to improve to 5-1 on the season. Permar fell to 0-2 after allowing six earned runs on just one hit while walking five in 1.1 innings of work.

Borchers, DeSalvo, Plant and Ovittore each had two hits on the day for the Blue Hens, while Plant knocked in three runs and Borchers crossed the plate three times.

The Blue Hens return to action on Friday on the first day of the Bash at the Beach in Georgetown, DE. Delaware faces Penn at 1 p.m. and St. Francis (NY) at 5 p.m.

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