ASHLAND, VA. - Competing in the Regional Round of the NCAA DIII Softball Tournament, the Swarthmore softball team took down No. 10 Randolph-Macon College, besting the Yellow Jackets by a score of 3-2 on Thursday, May 18.
 
On the offensive end, the Garnet saw a clutch outing from first year Iris Barone, with the lefty blasting an RBI triple to left field to bring in Swarthmore's third and decisive run.
 
From the circle, all present bore witness to a masterclass performance from sophomore Emily Bertrand. Pitching a complete game, the Centennial Tournament MVP stifled a usually lethal Yellow Jacket attack, allowing just six hits and one earned run while striking out four batters.
 
With the result, the Garnet secured their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history, keeping intact their ten-game win streak in the process.
 

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HOW IT HAPPENED
- While both squads were held scoreless in the first inning, the Garnet drew first blood in the second. After slamming a double to right field, another double, this time from senior Kate Hart, brought Bertrand flying across home plate to put Swarthmore up 1-0.

- The Yellow Jackets responded almost immediately, leveling the field at 1-all in the bottom of the inning.

- Not content sitting even with their opponents, the Garnet struck again in the fourth. Following a pair of singles that got sophomore Olivia McClammy to first and junior Alexandra Simon to second, an error by the pitcher on a Bertrand bunt allowed Simon to score, seizing back a 2-1 lead for Swarthmore.

- That margin would last for the Garnet until the bottom of the fifth, when Randolph-Macon tied the game once again at 2-all.

- A 2-2 scoreline would hold until the seventh. Entering their final chance at bat in regular innings, the Garnet needed runs, and that is exactly what they got. Facing a 1-2 count with two outs, pinch-hitter Rae Barron fought back, ultimately forcing a walk and staving off what would have been a side-retiring third out. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Barone stepped up to the plate and absolutely clobbered a triple down the right field line, bringing Barron in and giving Swarthmore a 3-2 lead.

- With their advantage secured, all the Garnet needed to do was sit down Randolph-Macon's batters in the bottom of the seventh. Despite a worrying start in which Bertrand walked two straight Yellow Jackets with just one out, the ace pitcher recovered in no time flat, forcing a weak foulout and easy groundout to lock down Swarthmore's 3-2 victory. 

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Hits: Bertrand (2), Barone (1), Simon (1), McClammy (1), Hart (1)
Runs: Bertrand (1), Simon (1), Barron (1)
RBIs: Barone (1), Hart (1)
 
GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Bertrand: 6 H, 1 ER, 4 SO, 7.0 IP
 
UP NEXT
Advancing through the winner's bracket, the Garnet will face off against Ramapo College on Friday, May 19 at 11:00 a.m.