Going into its games this week the softball team was the hottest on the Main Line, winnging 11 of its last 14 games.

On Wednesday the ‘Cats welcomed the Delaware Hens to Villanova for a doubleheader and with stellar pitching performances from Theresa Hornick and Shannon Williams, they were able to sweep the double header, 5-2 and 8-2, respectively.

In the first game, the ‘Cats sent their leader Hornick to the mound and she delievered pitching six strong innings, while only allowing five hits, walking two and allowing only one run.

The win improved Hornick’s overall record to 13-7 on the season.

Villanova scored its runs early in the game, as the ‘Cats’ able to take advantage of two errors by Delaware and put five runs on the board in the first two innings.

The ‘Cats took advantage of the Hens’ second error in the second inning after back to back singles by Allison Wisniewski and Veronica Alvarez and a sacrafice fly by Ricci Lugo put the runners on second and third. Robin Flier then hit a grounder to the second baseman, who misplayed it and allowed the ‘Cats to put two more on the board and jump out to an early 5-0 lead.

The Hens put two runs on the board late, but were not able to overcome the lead as Hornick shut them down and Kristen Haynes pitched the last inning for the win.

In the second game Williams supplied the ‘Cats with the necessary leadership on the mound, as she pitched five and a third innings, scattering just three hits and allowing only two runs. Williams was relieved by Haynes, who pitched the last two-thirds to secure the victory.

The Hens’ pitching staff was wild all game as they walked two ‘Cats when the bases were loaded.

Williams, however, was the story of the game as she secured her eighth victory of the season, while improving ‘Nova’s record to 24-11-1 on the season.

The day before, ‘Nova traveled to Penn to take on the Quakers in a doubleheader. Once again the ‘Cats were lead by the pitching tandem of Williams and Hornick, who pitched a sweep of the Quakers, 8-1 and 6-0.

In the first game Williams was sensational, pitching the complete seven innings, while striking out 11 and allowing only one run.

The offensive power came from catcher Kriste Romano, who went 2-for-4 in the game with a double, driving in three runs.

Second baseman Sara Carlson provided the ‘Cats with clutch hitting, as she went 2-for-3 while driving in two runs.

In the second game ‘Nova provided Hornick with some early offense. The ‘Cats were able to put five runs on the board in the fourth inning, as Jessie Olowina, Flier and Alavarez all came through with RBI singles, while Sarah Wall’s clutch two run double highlighted the inning.

This was all the help that Hornick needed as she pitched an almost perfect game, in striking out five en route to her 12th win of the season.

Last Friday, the ‘Cats traveled up to Storrs, Conn., trying to secure their 12th win in their last 13 games, but faltered losing against the Huskies 2-1.

Hornick took the loss, dropping her record to 11-7 on the season.

In the bottom of the third inning the Huskies took advantage of a lead off walk, as Mandy Schettini doubled home the run.

The Huskies lead did not hold for long, when the ‘Cats struck in the fourth inning. Lisa Krueger scored the tying run after leading off the inning with a single and advancing to second on a Carlson groundout eventually coming around to score on a Olowina single.

The Huskies were able to load the bases in the sixth inning, although only able to score one, as Haynes came on to get the final two outs.

In the second game the ‘Cats were dominated by UConn pitcher Claire Hesson, who pitched seven innings only allowing three hits while striking out seven. The ‘Cats lost this game 5-0.

Williams hung tough, pitching three and two third innings, but was not able to cool off the bats of the Huskies, as they scored three early runs.

Haynes came in, but did not fare well either, pitching only an inning while giving up two runs.

Hornick came on to pitch the final inning and a third, stopping a run and only allowing two hits.

The ‘Cats’ next games are this weekend when they host Big East rivals Virginia Tech this Saturday and Pittsburgh on Sunday for doubleheaders.

The first games are scheduled for 12 p.m. with the second starting at 2 p.m.