HICKORY, N.C. -- No. 17 Lenoir-Rhyne (46-8-1) shut out Anderson University (19-30) in both games of a doubleheader, 8-0 and 8-0, Tuesday afternoon at Bears Field. L-R ran its winning streak to seven straight and pitched a shutout in its fourth consecutive game. In the first game, Lenoir-Rhyne freshman Casey Hanes improved to 25-6 on the year after picking up her 16th shutout of 2006. Hanes allowed just one hit while striking out six en route to the win. Leading 2-0 after three and a half innings of play, the Bears broke things open in the bottom of the fourth inning with a three-run home run by junior shortstop Brooke Starnes. The round tripper was Starnes' eighth of the year, which tied her with sophomore centerfielder Taylor Queen for the team lead. The eight home runs also ties a school single-season record. Queen, who finished with three hits and three runs batted in, ended it with a two-run double. In the second game, Bear sophomore Meredith O'Connor threw her second perfect game and third no-hitter of the season in the nightcap. O'Connor, who improved to 18-2 on the season, struck out 11 batters along the way. The Bears scored single runs in the first, second and third innings before taking control with three in the fourth inning. L-R freshman designated hitter Angela Beard started the frame with an RBI double and was followed by sophomore first baseman Leah Krohn's run-scoring single and senior second baseman Chrissy Lunsford's sacrifice fly. Beard and Katie Pushard led Lenoir-Rhyne with three hits apiece while Queen added two hits and a game-high three runs scored. Beard and Lunsford drove in two runs each as the Bears banged out 13 hits in the contest. Anderson opens play in the CVAC Tournament Friday at Misenheimer, N.C. 2006 Anderson University Softball Statistics