SWARTHMORE, Pa. – The No. 14 Swarthmore College softball team had its historic season come to an end on Saturday with a 6-0 loss to Case Western Reserve University in the final of the NCAA Swarthmore Regional at Clothier Softball Field. The Garnet entered the day needing two victories to capture their first regional title but the Spartans would not be denied. CWRU advances to next week's NCAA Super Regionals.
Swarthmore closes the year with a 35-10 record, setting a new program mark for wins. The Garnet have now set the program's single-season wins record in back-to-back seasons. Swarthmore also became the first team to win consecutive Centennial Conference titles in 25 years and reached a new peak in the national poll at No. 14. The Garnet's outstanding campaign allowed Swarthmore to host a NCAA Regional in softball for the first time.
Regan Valenzuela,
Avery McClure,
Ava Babcock, and
Iris Barone were selected to the Regional All-Tournament Team for their play over the Garnet's four tournament games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first. CWRU led off with a triple and drove the run in with a sacrifice fly. Swarthmore got its first runner in scoring position in the third, putting runners on the corners with two outs. However, a groundout ended the threat and the score remained 1-0.
- The Spartans increased their lead with a three-run third. They scored on an RBI single, an error, and another base hit to make it 4-0. The Garnet had another opportunity to get on the board in the fourth with runners at first and second and one out. However, a fly-out and a line-out ended the frame.
- CWRU scored its final two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a single and a fielder's choice. Swarthmore's last gasp came in the sixth when it put the first two hitters on with a single and a walk. However, the Spartans preserved the shutout with a fielder's choice, strikeout, and pop-out.
GARNET LEADERS
Kate Borza: 2-3
McClure: 1-2, BB
Rae Barron: 1-1
Valenzuela: 1-2, BB
