By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN -- The ball was put in play only six times by Buchanan batters in the first game of Brandywine's 7-1, 2-0 sweep of a Lakeland Conference softball doubleheader Thursday afternoon.
Nicki McGowen fanned 15 Buchanan batters and gave up just one hit in the opening game then followed with a 10-strikeout, four-hitter in the second game to improve her record to 23-2.
As is usually the case, McGowen got support from the Brandywine defense which committed just one error on the day.
Brandywine managed six hits off Buchanan's Jennifer Klutts in the first game, including a double by Michelle Shoemaker and a solo home run by Nakisha Washington.
Buchanan committed five errors in the opener but then made just one mistake in the second game.
The Bucks' best chance was in the sixth inning of the second game. Jaclyn Mummaw and Lindsay Colip each singled and had runners at first and second with one out. McGowen, however, struck out the next two batters to get out of that sticky situation.
In both games the Bobcats got out to early leads.
Welsh, whose squad stands at 12-11 overall and 7-3 in Lakeland action, is not disappointed with his team.
Brandywine clinched at least a share of the Lakeland Conference title and is now 10-0 in league play. The Bobcats are also 24-2 overall.
Brandywine….7
Buchanan…….1
Brandywine 014 010 1--7 6 0
Buchanan 000 010 0--1 1 5
Nicki McGowen (W, 22-2) and Michelle Shoemaker; Jennifer Klutts (L, 9-6) and Tara Paturalski.
HR: Nakisha Washington (BR)
2B: Shoemaker (BR)
Brandywine….2
Buchanan……0
Brandywine 200 000 0--2 5 1
Buchanan 000 000 0--0 4 1
Nicki McGowen (W, 23-2) and Michelle Shoemaker; Caryn Dodson (L. 3-4) and Tara Paturalski.
Team records: Brandywine 24-2 (10-0 Lakeland), Buchanan 12-11 (7-3)