MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Swarthmore College softball team (1-5) split with Gordon College and Delaware Valley College on Tuesday from Grand Park Complex. The Garnet found it's rhythm at the plate, hitting to a 12-2 victory over the Fighting Scots and rallied with the Aggies, but fell short by a 3-2 score.

Game 1

Rachel Ryder hit a lead-off triple for the Fighting Scots and was brought home on a one out single to through the infield by Skylar Bareford. Swarthmore senior pitcher Melissa O'Connor closed the inning with a strikeout and infield popup.

Now it was Swarthmore's turn at the plate – freshman Jackie Pezzato and junior Chelsea Matzko connected two singles and both advanced on a wild pitch to put runners at second and third for senior Rose Pitkin. With one out, she blasted a hit to deep center field for two ribbies and a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Casey Schreiner brought Pitkin home before Gordon's defense closed out the inning.

Ryder hit another lead-off single and advanced around the diamond on a wild pitch and stolen bases to notch the Fighting Scots only other run. Junior catcher Emma Madarasz doubled to left field in the bottom of the third, bringing Pitkin around and pin the score at 4-2.

O'Connor shut out the Gordon batters in the fourth with two strikeouts and snatched a pop up to end the inning.

Already having a 4-2 lead Swarthmore's bat remained hot in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring eight runs on five hits. The runs began to pile up with runners on first and second on a single and a walk when Matzko posted an RBI single through the middle of the field before before rounding to second on the throw to bring a runner home from second. The hit parade continued as Pitkin popped one out in between right center for an RBI single before stealing second as Matzko stole home for the 7-2 score. Pitkin then rounded over to third on a wild pitch before scoring the Garnet's eighth run as Schreiner reached base on an error to put the runners at the corners before Madarasz walked to load up the bases for the Garnet.

Even a Gordon pitching change couldn't stop Swarthmore's hot streak as Sellars nailed the ball towards the first base line for an RBI single with the bases still loaded once again. Aaron looked to keep the rally alive and drew four balls for the bases-loaded walk before Pezzato dropped the ball over the head of the shortstop for 2-RBI single to extend the lead, 12-2. Gordon finally forced a third out on a pop fly to stop the bleeding, but the damage has already been done.

O'Connor pitched five innings, punching out six batters and gave up five hits.

Game 2

The Garnet battled back in the top of the seventh, but the Aggies rattled off three hits with no outs to take the 3-2 victory.

Down 2-1 in the seventh, Swarthmore got two runners on base with two outs before Pezzato doubled to center field to bring home freshman Sara Planthaber - who reached on a walk – to knot the score. Next at-bat, Matzko couldn't find an open spot as she popped out, leaving two on base.

Tori Stachura lead-off the top of the seventh with a single down the left field line follwed by another left field line blast from Jackie Wear to place runners at the corners with no outs. The Garnet intentionally walked Sydney Edwards to load the bases, but Loran Mihaliak singled to left field to bring home the winning run.

In the top of the first with two outs, Matzko doubled to left field and advanced two bases on wild pitches for Swarthmore's first run of the game. Pitkin walked, but a pop fly from Clara Obstfeld closed the inning.

The Aggies responded with a lead-off single from Nina Stachura followed by a single bunt from Hannah Robinson. Wear took first on a fielder's choice as the Obstfeld threw out the lead runner at third. With two outs and runners on first and second, Pezzato walked back-to-back batters for the Aggies first run. A wild pitch brought another run to the plate for Delaware Valley before Pezzato struck out Lauren Alvarez for to get out of the inning.

Delaware Valley looked to extend it's lead in the fifth inning after Mihalik tripled center field with one out. However, Whitney Stacey bunted into a double play as Aaron was in position to snag the bunt quick, throw to first and Pitkin's throw beat Mihalik at home plate to end the inning.

Pezzato made her first collegiate start on the mound – pitching six innings with three strikeouts.

Swarthmore will enjoy Myrtle Beach tomorrow and return to action on Thursday at 9:30 against McKendree University