SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore College softball team secured its second sweep of the week with two victories over Neumann University on Thursday afternoon. The Garnet won the opener 3-1 and shut out the Knights 4-0 in the finale.
Lia Fong was outstanding in game two, delivering a breakout performance with a complete-game shutout. The first-year allowed just one hit and no walks while recording nine strikeouts. Fong struck out eight consecutive batters between the third and fifth innings, setting a season-high for strikeouts and earning her first collegiate complete game.
Olivia McClammy and
Emily Bertrand played significant offensive roles in both victories. McClammy had four hits with two doubles and two RBI, while Bertrand hit 2-for-3 in both games with two total RBI. Bertrand also recorded the final out in the opener to earn her first save of the season.
SWARTHMORE 3, NEUMANN 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Garnet capitalized on a Knights error to score two unearned runs in the opening frame. McClammy put Swarthmore on the board with a hard-hit double to center field, and Bertrand followed with a tough, clutch at-bat to drive in McClammy with a single up the middle, 2-0.
- Swarthmore's defense worked out of a jam in the second with runners on the corners and no outs. Rae Barron caught a runner attempting to steal second for the first out, and Grace Taylor threw out a runner at home for the second out. McClammy then made a fantastic scoop at first base to end the inning. Lane Barron also escaped a tough spot in the third, where she had two runners in scoring position with no outs.
- The top of Swarthmore's lineup generated another run in the third. Iris Barone reached on a bunt to lead off the inning and later scored on a McClammy sacrifice fly. The Garnet also benefited from another Neumann error, extending their lead to three runs.
-For the fourth consecutive inning, Neumann advanced a runner to scoring position but was unable to capitalize. Barron responded with a quick 1-2-3 frame in the fifth, providing a stress-free inning.
- Neumann mounted a two-out rally in the seventh after quickly recording the first two outs. The Knights scored one run but stranded the bases loaded. Bertrand entered the game to strike out the final batter and earn her first save of the season.
GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
McClammy: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B
Bertrand: 2-for-3, RBI
GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Barron (W, 5-3) 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 5 SO
Bertrand (SV, 1) 0.1, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 SO
SWARTHMORE 4, NEUMANN 0
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore got off to a strong start with two runs in the first inning. Jordan Jackson singled to begin the rally, and McClammy followed with a double to the opposite field. Avery McClure drove in the first run with a single, and Bertrand added another with a sacrifice fly, making it 2-0.
- Lia Fong posted 1-2-3 frames in both the second and third innings. The first-year pitcher continued to dominate, striking out the side in both the fourth and fifth innings, totaling eight consecutive strikeouts over a three inning span.
- Swarthmore added insurance runs in the third and sixth innings. Serafina Tinio worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in the third run, and the Garnet tacked on their fourth and final run after Bertrand doubled to left-center, and Neumann committed a throwing error.
GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
McClure: 3-for-4, RBI, 2 R
McClammy: 3-for-4, 2B
Bertrand: 2-for-3, RBI
GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Fong (W, 2-0) 7.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 SO
UP NEXT
The Garnet (13-7) open conference action this weekend against Muhlenberg College. The game will be hosted by the Mules at Leadership Park at Lehigh University.
