The Youngstown State softball team extended its winning streak to six after a second-straight doubleheader sweep over Akron, 9-5, and 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at the YSU Softball Field in the Covelli Sports Complex.

Youngstown State improves to 6-2 overall and Akron falls to 1-7.

In the opener, the Zips quickly jumped out on top with a three-run first inning.

The Penguins answered in the bottom half of the first with a pair of runs to cut the lead to 3-2. With two outs and runner on first, freshman Jillian Jakse singled to left and advanced to second on a throwing error. Saibene laced a 2-2 pitch up the middle plating Alex DeLeon and Jakse.

Akron added a run in the top half of the second to extend its lead to 4-2, but the Penguins knotted the game at 4-4 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Saibene drilled a bases-loaded double to right field scoring Maddi Lusk, who singled, DeLeon.

Youngstown State broke open the game with a four-run fourth inning to take an 8-4 lead. DeLeon's successful squeeze bunt scored Taylor Boeckmann and Jakse's single scored Yazmine Romero. DeLeon and Hailey Roach both scored on a throwing error on Saibene's fielder's choice. 

After the Zips tacked on a run in the top of the sixth, Saibene collected her fifth run batted in with a single to left field scoring DeLeon for the fourth time in the game.

Freshman pitcher Sophie Howell picked up her second straight win going 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts. Lusk earned her first save of the season throwing 1.2 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

In the nightcap, Elle Buffenbarger retired the first 10 batters she faced and fired a two-hit complete game with nine strikeouts.

Grace Cea went 2-for-3 and drove in all four of YSU's runs while Romero went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Youngstown State opens Horizon League play with a four-game series against UIC, March 12-13, at the YSU Softball Field. First pitch on Friday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. while the start of Saturday's doubleheader has a 12 p.m. start time.