SLIPPERY ROCK - The Grove City softball team made the most of Senior Recognition Day - Slippery Rock's Senior Day, that is.

The Eagles jumped all over the Rockets, tallying six hits and seven runs in the first two frames en route to a 9-0 win Monday afternoon.

"They put up five runs in the second inning," said Slippery Rock coach Tom Wamsley. "That really made it tough. We ended up getting some girls on base, but just couldn't bring them around."

Grove City pitcher Katie Sonntag held the Rockets to just two hits through the first four innings. She struck out seven for the win. Krista Chiappini took the mound for the last three innings, striking out four and giving up just one hit.

"Katie and Krista both did a great job on the mound today," said Grove City coach Shawnee Denbow.

Sonntag and Tara Walmsley both collected three hits in the victory.

The Eagles grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Sonntag scored on Kristen Hughes' groundout. Walmsley later scored on a Rocket fielding error.

"We always try to score at least one run in the first inning," said Denbow. "What ever it takes, laying down a sacrifice bunt or hitting the ball to the right side of the infield; we'll do it to get that first run."

The Rockets tallied two of their three hits in the bottom of the first, but failed to get on the scoreboard.

The Eagles scored the five runs in the second inning off of Slippery Rock starter Tanna Albright.

Albright went the distance, striking out five and surrendering 10 hits.

"Tanna's pitched nearly every varsity inning this year for us," said Wamsley. "She was the reason we've stayed close in a lot of games this season."

The win puts Grove City in position to grab the No. 1 seed from the Mercer County Athletic Conference leading into the District 10 playoffs.

"If we beat Sharon on Thursday, we'll be number one," said Denbow. "If we lose, we'll be conference co-champs and will have to play a one-game playoff against Sharon on Saturday to decide the seeding."

Playing their last home game for Slippery Rock were seniors Lindsey Thomas, Karie Studebaker and Albright.

The Rockets will close the season Friday at West Middlesex.

Grove City 250 110 0 - 9 10 0

Slippery Rock 000 000 0 - 0 3 3

WP:

Katie Sonntag (4 IP) 7 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Tanna Albright (7 IP) 5 strikeouts, 1 walk

Grove City (13-2, 13-4):

Katie Sonntag 3-1B RBI 2R, Kristen Hughes 2B RBI 2R, Tara Walmsley 3-1B 2RBI R, Stephanie Blakely 2-1B 2R, Emily Robinson 2RBI, Ali Gomola R, Ann Yetter RBI, Kari Barnes 1B, Krista Chiappini R

Slippery Rock:

Lindsey Thomas 2-1B, Tanna Albright 1B

Thursday:

Sharon @ Grove City

Friday:

Slippery Rock @ West Middlesex