SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Junior Melissa O'Connor picked up a pair of victories on the mound -- one in relief and one as a starter -- to help lead the Swarthmore College softball team (8-2) to a doubleheader sweep of Rutgers-Newark in its home-opener on Saturday afternoon.

In the first game, the Garnet rallied from down 3-0 in the sixth inning. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh and with runners on second and third, junior Nicole Aaron ended the game with a walk-off double. It was one of two doubles in the game for Aaron.

In the second game, O'Connor stole the show, striking out nine batters over the seven innings while allowing just one unearned run. O'Connor -- who won the first game in one inning of relief -- pushed her record to 6-1 on the season while lowering her ERA to 1.20.

At 8-2, Swarthmore softball is off to its best start under 10-year head coach Renee Clarke.

In game one, the Scarlet Raiders (4-8) appeared on the verge of victory in the sixth inning, jumping ahead 3-0 following a home run from Liotta and an RBI double from Bagan. Swat rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth, as an RBI double from senior Danielle Seltzer and two-out, two-RBI single from Clara Obstfeld evened the score.

In the top of the seventh, O'Connor came in to pitch in relief of junior starter Sarina Lowe and tossed a scoreless frame to force the decisive bottom of the seventh. Senior Sam Bennett opened the inning with a single and sophomore Laurie Sellars reached on a throwing error, giving the Garnet second and third with no one out. Next up, Aaron stepped up to the plate and gave the Garnet the win, smashing a ball to deep centerfield to bring home the winning run.

Bennett finished the first game with two hits, while senior Erin Curtis, sophomore Chelsea Matzko and freshman Suness Jones also hit safely.

In the second game, two runs was all Swarthmore needed to win -  both of which were driven in off the bat of Curtis. She drove in the Garnet's first run of the game in the second inning on a single through the left side that brought home Rose Pitkin. In the sixth inning, she drove in the winning run on a single to first base.

Junior Jesslyn Lammerts also added two hits in the second game. Pitkin, Bennett, Matzko, Sellars, Aaron and sophomore Emma Madarasz also hit  safely.

Swarthmore continues its homestand tomorrow when it hosts Penn-State Berks. Action begins at 1:00 p.m.