OCALA--The College of Central Florida softball team swept HCC in the home opener on Tuesday afternoon at CF Softball Complex to improve to 8-0 on the season.

The Lady Patriots blasted four home runs in game one to power past the Hawks 16-0 (5 innings). In game two, Olivia Pope hit a grand slam to center field to break the 4-4 tie and give CF the eventual 9-4 win in six innings.   

Karli Woolington accounted for the first five runs in game one of the doubleheader with a two-run homer in the first inning and then a three-run double to put CF up 5-0 after two innings.

The Lady Patriots tacked on two more runs in the third inning before exploding for a nine-run fourth inning, which included three home runs, two from freshman Anina Fernandez (5 RBIs) and a solo shot from Katie Peters.

FCSAA Region VIII Pitcher of the Week Lindsay Markham-Rosario continued her dominance in the circle, not allowing a run on two hits and struck out eight in the win.

At the plate, Woolington (3-for-4, 2 runs scored) and Fernandez (2-for-2, 2 home runs) led the offensive attack with five RBIs each. Takiya London (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 3 runs scored) and Peters (3-for-3, HR, 3 runs scored) were also key contributors in the run-rule.

Game two offered a little more drama, with Pope hitting the eventual game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to break the 4-4 tie. Two batters later, Woolington added an additional insurance run to secure the win. The game was called after six innings due to darkness.

Samantha Urbina allowed four hits in 4.1 innings before giving way to Markham-Rosario who kept the Hawks at bay and secured her fourth win of the season. Markham-Rosario didn't allow a hit and struck out two. 

On the day, the Patriot offense recorded 22 hits, while the Patriot pitching staff held HCC to just six hits in the doubleheader. Markham-Rosario is currently 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

CF will return to action on Feb. 6 when they travel to St. Petersburg College for a doubleheader at 5 and 7 p.m.