NEWARK, N.J.–The Swarthmore College softball team (5-7) was edged by Rutgers-Newark , 6-5,  in extra innings in game one of the doubleheader and fell 8-2 in the nightcap on Saturday, March 19.

Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, the Garnet used three hits and capitalized on two errors to put four runs on the board. Freshman catcher Emily Barranca led off with a double and subsequently scored on an error by the shortstop. Another error at third base scored Fran Reckers and Elizabeth Curcio drove in two runs with a single to left field, plating Amanda Lopez and Frankie Ponziani.

The Scarlet Raiders got one back in the bottom of the frame, but Swarthmore restored its lead to three as Reckers doubled to left center and Barranca crossed the plate for her second run. Swarthmore threatened to expand its lead in the seventh when it loaded the bases, but the home team got out of a jam and rallied in the bottom of the frame to force extra innings.

Rutgers-Newark won the game under international tiebreaker rules in the ninth with a bunt single.

In game two, Swarthmore struck first as Marit Vike scored on an error by the pitcher. Unfortunately for the Garnet, the Raiders responded with a four-run third inning and were ahead 8-1 before Swarthmore scored another run with Sara Planthaber crossing the plate on another fielding miscue.

The softball team continues the nonconference portion of its schedule with a home doubleheader against Marywood on Tuesday, March 22. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.