FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (22-17; 14-13 Crossroads) traveled to Mishawaka, Indiana for a doubleheader against the Bethel University Pilots (8-30; 7-23 Crossroads) and swept the doubleheader winning by scores of 11-6 and 12-2.

In the opening game, freshman Mia Werner took the mound to start for the Cougars and she was immediately helped in the top of the first with a two-out two-run home run by catcher Tori Miller to take an early 2-0 lead.

But the Pilots answered right back in the bottom of the frame as they showed patience at the plate and plated two runs themselves to tie the score back up. Then in the top of the second, the Cougars loaded the bases with one out, and plated two more runs on a fielding error by the Pilots to regain their two-run lead.

After a solo home run in the bottom of the second, Werner's day was finished after the frame and sophomore Erika Turpin came in to relieve in the bottom of the third.

The sophomore hurler did surrender another run as the Pilots tied the game back up but snuffed out the rally after that. Then in the fourth, an RBI-groundout by third baseman Dani Karr gave Saint Francis the lead for good, and they kept adding to it.

Four more runs scored on four hits and an error in the fifth highlighted by a two-run single by pinch hitter Dory Thompson as they extended their lead to 9-4. Designated player Regan Peppler got in on the fun with a two-run double in the sixth and then Turpin finished off the Pilots to secure the win for the Coguars.

Turpin earned the win after allowing just two earned runs over five innings pitched to improve her season record to 8-5 on the year.

In the finale, it was Mackenzie Rust's turn to propel her team to victory and got out of first-inning trouble as the game went scoreless through the first two innings.

Then in the third, the Cougars broke the deadlocked scoring when Dani Karr doubled with two outs and then Tori Miller smacked her second home run of the day and seventh of the season as Saint Francis jumped ahead 2-0.

After the Pilots knotted the score with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, the Cougars went back to work in the fourth. Shortstop Brooklyn McCord sparked them with a leadoff single, and then six runs came around to score, including a two-run double by Miller to build an 8-2 lead.

That was more than enough run support Rust needed as she dominated the Pilots throughout the next several innings, and then a third home run on the day by Tori Miller sealed the deal as the Cougars earned the sweep in six innings.

Throughout the game, Rust allowed just two runs in six innings pitched while striking out eight batters to improve her record to 11-7 on the year. At the plate, Dani Karr went 4-for-4 in the finale, and Tori Miller knocked in eight runs on the day including three two-run home runs.

The Cougars resume play on Monday afternoon when they return home to Westendorf Field for a doubleheader against the Huntington University Foresters (13-24; 11-15 Crossroads) with first pitch set for 3:00 pm.