SWARTHMORE, PA - The Swarthmore College softball team opened Centennial Conference action with a double-header sweep over Muhlenberg College on Saturday. The Garnet won the opener 3-1, before securing a 2-1 decision in the finale.

Avery McClure came through with the game-winning swings in both contests. The senior hit a two-run homer for the deciding run in the opener, and then blasted a go-ahead solo homer in game two. 

Lilly Goldberg and Lane Barron were exceptional in the circle. Both pitchers went seven innings with one earned run while picking up a pair of victories. 

In between games, the Swarthmore softball program took a moment to honor Coach Jen Moore with a pre-game ceremony and an honorary plaque for her 20 years of service to Swarthmore. 

MUHLENBERG 1, SWARTHMORE 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Goldberg tossed a 1-2-3 opening frame before cruising through the second inning with just one baserunner allowed. The Garnet then added a run in the second when McClure scored on an Elisabeth O'Connor sacrifice flyout. The senior raced home to score on a shallow pop up to the outfield, making it 1-0. 

- The Garnet escaped a third-inning jam after Ava Babcock tossed out a baserunner at third on a steal attempt. Goldberg then struck out the final batter in the fourth after surrendering a two-out walk. 

- In the fourth inning, McClure gave her squad some breathing room with a two-run homer to left-center field. Emilee Espinoza scored on the play after leading off the frame with a double. 

- Muhlenberg put its first two batters on in the fifth and later squeezed across a run with a sacrifice bunt. Goldberg escaped further damage with an inning-ending flyout, but the Mules cut its deficit to 3-1. 

- Goldberg retired the side in the sixth after taking advantage of a Muhlenberg baserunning blunder. She then finished off the game with a clean seventh inning to put away the Mules. 

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
McClure: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR

GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Goldberg: (W, 8-3) 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO


MUHLENBERG 1, SWARTHMORE 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Swarthmore scraped a run across in the first inning on a wild pitch. The Mules had its first two batters reach in the second, but had a baserunner cut down at home to end the threat. 

- O'Connor recorded all three putouts in a 1-2-3 fourth inning. Barron cruised through the opening four innings with all zeroes on the board. 

- Muhlenberg tied the game in the fifth with a pair of singles. However, the Garnet answered back in the bottom half with a solo homer from McClure. 

- The Mules loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. McClure made a nice play to get the lead runner at home on a ground ball to first base. Barron then induced a game-ending flyout to sweep away the Mules. 

GARNET OFFENSIVE LEADERS
McClure: 1-for-2, HR, BB

GARNET PITCHING LEADERS
Barron: (W, 5-4)  7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO

UP NEXT
The Garnet (15-7, 2-0) travel to Franklin & Marshall on Tuesday.