SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 17-ranked Salisbury University softball team ran its winning streak to 16 games with a doubleheader sweep of Washington (Md.) College on Sunday afternoon at the SU Softball Field.

In the opener, junior pitcher Erika Brittingham worked four innings, allowing just one hit. A fourth-inning double was all that the Georgetown, Del., native gave up as she struck out nine leading the Gulls (25-4) to a 9-0 win in five innings.

The Salisbury offense got things going early, putting together five hits in the opening inning to score three runs and give Brittingham all the cushion she would need. The biggest hit of the inning was a two-run single through the left side off the bat of junior Casey Zaino. It was the start of a big day for Zaino; along with being outstanding defensively at third base in the doubleheader, the Pine Hill, N.J., native went 3-for-3 at the plate in the opener.

Brittingham retired the first 11 batters she faced on the day and the Salisbury offense put things out of reach with five more runs in the third inning on five hits, including a solo home run by sophomore Hannah Mills to open the frame. The shot was her team-leading sixth of the year. Mills was one of five Sea Gulls to finish with at least two hits in the game.

Freshman Kathryn Larson worked the final inning in the circle for the Gulls, sitting down Washington (12-12) in order, and striking out one batter.

While Washington starting pitcher Meaghan Kimme was keeping the Gulls off balance at the plate in the second game, Salisbury senior pitcher Kelly Leary needed to be as good as her counterpart – and she was. Leary was nearly untouchable, allowing just four hits and striking out 10 in her complete-game shutout, her third of the year, leading the Gulls to a 5-0 win.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when freshman Harley Hill scored from third on an illegal pitch by Kimme. It was the only run that would score until the sixth inning when the Salisbury offense gave Leary some breathing room for final inning.

Zaino highlighted the bottom of the sixth with a two-run double, one of four Sea Gull hits in the inning. Zaino finished the day 4-for-6 with a run scored and four RBI. Sophomores Lindsay McCabe and Carly Read each had two hits in the second game.

The Sea Gulls will be back in action on Tuesday, April 5, when they will host Virginia Wesleyan College for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.