SWARTHMORE, PA. - Taking on their longtime rival, the Swarthmore softball team split a doubleheader with Haverford College on Tuesday, Apr. 11, falling in the first game 6-4 while winning the second 4-3.
Offensively, the Garnet were helmed by first year
Iris Barone and sophomore
Emily Bertrand, with Bertrand notching three hits and an RBI in the first game, while Barone tallied two hits and a run in the second. Additionally, senior
Cassidy Cheong's bat proved pivotal for the Garnet's victory in game two, driving in the winning run with a walk off single.
Bertrand also dominated from the circle, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out two batters over three innings pitched in game number two.
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game One (L, 6-4)
- Holding the Fords scoreless in the top of the first, the Garnet came out swinging in the bottom of the inning, scoring twice to race out to a fast 2-0 lead. After putting runners on first and second, a Bertrand single brough junior
Alexandra Simon home for Swarthmore's first run, followed closely by a hit from first year
Avery McClure that drove in sophomore
Olivia McClammy for their second.
- The Garnet grew their lead in the second inning, jumping out to a 4-0 advantage after a McClammy double scored Barone and sophomore
Grace Taylor.
- Unable to keep Haverford's bats silent forever however, the Garnet finally cracked in the fourth, allowing four runs to tie the contest at 4-all.
- The Fords took their first lead of the game in the fifth, putting up two more runs in the top of the inning to go up 6-4.
- While the Garnet had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with just one out, Haverford's lead proved insurmountable as a fly out from Taylor and line out from Barone ended the game at 6-4 in favor of the Fords.
GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Hits: Bertrand (3), McClure (2)
Runs: McClammy (1), Barone (1), Simon (1), Taylor (1)
RBI: McClammy (2)
GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Barron: 4 H, 0 ER, 1 SO, 3.2 IP
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game Two (W, 4-3)
- Haverford drew first blood, going up 1-0 in the top of the first inning.
- While both squads were held scoreless in the second and third, the Fords extended their margin in the fourth, scoring twice more to take a 3-0 lead over the Garnet.
- Swarthmore were finally able to respond in the bottom of the fourth, putting up two runs thanks to both McClammy and Bertrand crossing home.
- However, despite the early scoring both squads tightened up their defense over the next two and a half innings, with the game going into the bottom of the seventh with the Garnet trailing 3-2.
- After a single to left center got senior
Kate Hart on base, a sacrifice bunt from McClammy advanced her to second. While senior
Brooke Coneeny grounded to third base for the Garnet's second out of the inning, a monster triple from Barone not only brought Hart home to tie the game at 3-all, but also put her in prime scoring position. Cheong took full advantage of her chance at the plate, whacking a single to the same spot that Barone had just tripled to, and driving Swarthmore's fourth and decisive run home, securing the Garnet's walkoff win.
GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Hits: Barone (2)
Runs: Barone (1), McClammy (1), Hart (1), Bertrand (1)
RBI: Barone (1), Cheong (1), McClure (1), O'Sullivan (1)
GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Bertrand: 2 H, 0 ER, 2 SO, 3.0 IP
UP NEXT
Kicking off a four game road stretch, the Garnet will take on Washington College on Saturday, Apr. 15 at 3:00 p.m.
