Brandt, Siano Go Yard as Pioneers Sweep Garnet
CHESTER, Pa. -- Swarthmore senior Ashley Brandt went three for five, including her first collegiate home run, and scored three runs as the Garnet were swept in a doubleheader at Widener University on Tuesday, 9-2 and 5-4.
Widener freshman Kim Dougherty stymied Garnet hitters throughout much of the first contest, allowing only five hits in a complete game victory.
The only offense that the Garnet could muster came in a two-run fifth inning. After sophomore Kristin Caspar reached base on an error, Brandt singled, and Michele Perch '10 knocked in Caspar on an RBI-single. Perch finished the first game 1-for-1 with the RBI single, sacrifice bunt, and a hit-by-pitch.
Senior hurler Marianne Klingaman took the loss for the Garnet, pitching 3.2 innings and giving up nine runs on eleven hits with three strikeouts.
The second contest featured a nail-biting finish, with the Garnet falling 5-4. Swarthmore junior Emily Walz surrendered three runs in the first inning, but pitched effectively the rest of the way, giving up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
The Garnet battled back after the early 3-0 deficit with a solo home run by senior Kelly Siano in the second inning and a two-RBI double by freshman Kathryn Riley in the third.
In the fifth inning, Brandt homered over the right-centerfield fence to give the Garnet the 4-3 lead. Brandt finished the second game 2-for-2, with a single, home run, RBI, and two runs scored.
Widener (12-6) tied up the game in the sixth and won the game on a walk-off RBI-single by sophomore Krista Cesarine in the bottom of the seventh.
Swarthmore (7-5) looks to avenge these loses as they return to the diamond on Thursday, March 29, as they travel to Arcadia University for a doubleheader scheduled to being at 3:00 p.m.