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NEWARK, N.J. – Freshman Jackie Pezzato went 5-for-5 and senior pitcher Melissa O'Connor recorded a complete game as the Swarthmore College softball team defeated Rutgers-Newark 13-5 in the nightcap after falling 6-5 in the opener on Saturday, March 22.

In the nightcap, Swarthmore (5-7) erupted for 11 runs during the final four innings to earn the split over Rutgers-Newark (6-8). Pezzato recorded five hits with an RBI single in the 3-run fourth inning and a 2-run single in the 6-run seventh to pace the Garnet's 15-hit assault. Senior Nicole Aaron also had a good game at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs.

Swarthmore senior ace Melissa O'Connor (4-2) limited the Raiders to eight hits while striking out two and walking only one for the complete-game win.

Heading into the fourth inning the scoreboard showed 2-2 after Rutgers-Newark picked up two runs in the third. Freshman Sara Planthaber hit a lead-off single through the left infield before sophomore Lindsay Holcomb hit a sacrifice bunt and made it to first on a throwing error, while Planthaber reached third. Junior Chelsea Matzko singled up the middle for an RBI to take the lead. Pezzato and senior Rose Pitkin crushed back-to-back singles on the new pitcher to bring home two more runs for Swarthmore; ending the inning with a 5-2 lead.

The Garnet added two runs in sixth to strengthen its lead and then compiled six runs in the seventh to secure the victory.
In the opener, Scarlet Raiders' first baseman Liane Drastal ripped a 2-run double in the third inning and a two run homer over the left center field fence in the fifth to help the Scarlet Raiders construct a 5-0 lead. 

On the comeback, Swarthmore posted two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to knot the score. After singles from senior first baseman Rose Pitkin and sophomore shortstop Clara Obstfeld with no outs, sophomore catcher Casey Schreiner drove in both runners, crushing a line drive to right center.

In the top of the seventh, Swarthmore continued to hammer freshman pitcher Katie Boyd, connecting on three singles and a walk to level the score. Pitkin and Madarasz each recorded RBIs in the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, senior shortstop Tiara Santi drew a 1-out walk and moved to second on an infield grounder off the bat of freshman third baseman Anna Carlson to set the stage for Spinella's game-winning hit to bring home Santi.

Matzko, Pezzato and Pitkin notched two hits each to lead the Garnet's 10-hit attack.  Pezzato (0-2), who moved from second base to the circle in the fourth inning, took the loss.

Swarthmore opens Centennial Conference play on Tuesday, March 25 hosting Muhlenberg College. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.