SWARTHMORE, Pa.–The Swarthmore College softball team opened its Centennial Conference slate with a pair of narrow losses to the visiting Gettysburg Bullets on Saturday, March 25. The Garnet fell 3-2 in game one and were edged by a 4-2 score in the rainy nightcap.

In game one, Gettysburg led 1-0 for a short time before the Garnet evened the proceedings. Hannah Thompson reached base on a fielding miscue and came all the way around on a double by freshman Emilie Morse.

The Bullets broke the tie in the third with an unearned run, but the Swarthmore defense retired the side in order in the fourth and fifth frames to remain within striking distance. Gettysburg added another run in the sixth and held Swarthmore off the board, entering the seventh with a 3-1 advantage.

Pitcher Emily Bowman worked a 1-2-3 inning and Swarthmore led off the final frame with a double to left by Kennedy Kings. Kalli Segel singled to put runners on the corners and a throwing error from the catcher brought Swarthmore within one. Down to its final out, the Garnet were unable to find the tying run and picked up its first conference loss.

Bowman was charged with the loss, but allowed only four hits and one walk in seven innings for a WHIP of 0.714

Game two was scoreless through three until the Bullets scored in the fourth with an RBI triple. The resolute Garnet, provided an immediate answer as Segel plated Kings with a double. The same back-and-forth happened in the fifth innings as Marisa Mancini was plated by Morse, but the Bullets ultimately prevailed with a run apiece in the sixth and seventh.

Frankie Ponziani went the distance in the circle and fell to 1-3 on the season.

The Garnet have their third home doubleheader in four days on Sunday, March 26 when they hosts Rutgers-Newark at 1 and 3 p.m.