SWARTHMORE, Pa.–With sunset rapidly approaching, the Swarthmore College softball team (8-12) completed a three-run rally in the fifth inning of game two en route to a 3-2 victory and a doubleheader split with the Muhlenberg Mules. It was the first Centennial Conference action for the Garnet this season.

Freshman shortstop Marit Vike was a menace on the base path with five stolen bases on the afternoon and also finished with five hits and two runs. Amanda Lopez and Sara Planthaber each had a pair of hits in the first game while McKenzie Ward picked up the win in game two, surrendering only one hit in 3.2 innings in the circle.

The Mules opened the afternoon with a 9-3 victory as Swarthmore left 11 on base. Elizabeth Curcio drove in two runs in the sixth with a single up the middle, but the Garnet were unable to catch up to the visitors.

Muhlenberg held a 2-0 lead through four innings in the nightcap before Swarthmore kicked off a rally in the fifth. Vike led off with a single and got into scoring position by swiping second. Lopez followed with a walk and a fielding miscue allowed Planthaber to reach base and Vike to score. Another error on a squeeze bunt by Anna Jensen brought in Lopez. Planthaber crossed the plate for the game-winning run on an RBI by Christen Boas Hayes.

Ward allowed one runner to reach base in the sixth and seventh innings, but finished the game strong on a groundout to third.

Swarthmore plays the first of three road doubleheaders when it travels to Gettysburg on Saturday, April 2 for a 1:00 p.m. start.