Zelaski, Riley Kick Mules, Garnet Sweep Muhlenberg
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- Garnet aces Alexandra Zelaski '09 and Kathryn Riley'10 both threw complete game shutouts, as Swarthmore defeated Muhlenberg on Tuesday afternoon at Clothier Fields, 2-0 and 4-0, marking the first time that the Garnet has swept the Mules since both teams joined the Centennial Conference in 1994.
Zelaski (4-2) looked in prime form in the first contest, scattering three hits and recording one strikeout in seven innings of work.
Swarthmore (13-7, 3-1 CC) took an early lead, notching a run in the first inning. Katie Gold '08 smacked a two-out RBI single to centerfield, knocking in Lauren Walker '09 who had reached base on a single. Gold finished the first game one-for two with the RBI single and a walk, complementing her solid defensive performance at shortstop.
The Garnet bats yielded another run in the third. After Christine Sendelsky '09 led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball, Riley plated her with a single to centerfield. Fellow sophomore Kristin Caspar also had a solid game at the plate, going two-for-three with two singles.
These two runs were all that Zelaski needed to finish off the Mules, recording her second shutout of the season.
Riley (6-0) matched Zelaski's pitching performance in the second contest, cruising to her sixth consecutive complete-game victory of the season. She surrendered only four hits and struck out nine Mules' batters while lowering her ERA to a miniscule 0.47.
As in the first game, Garnet pitching was aided by early run support, after an RBI single by senior first baseman Kelly Siano in the first inning.
The Garnet racked up more runs in the second inning, plating three runs on six singles. Michele Perch '10 and Caspar led off the inning with hits and advanced to second and third on a ground ball to the second baseman by senior Melissa LaVan. Sendelsky plated Perch on an RBI single to leftfield, and Riley knocked in both Caspar and Sendelsky with a single of her own two batters later.
The only threat that Muhlenberg (6-14- 3-3 CC) mustered was in the seventh frame, but a solid defensive play quelled any potential rally. Mules' leftfielder Samantha Crist led off the inning with an infield hit and advanced to second on a throwing error. Sophomore catcher RiRi Ferrigno then flew out to Walker in centerfield, who successfully doubled off Crist at second.
Walker also led the Garnet offensively in the second contest, going a perfect three-for-three with three singles. She finished the day five-for-six at the plate with five base hits and two stolen bases.
In addition to being the first time that Swarthmore has swept a doubleheader with Muhlenberg in the Centennial Conference, these contests also marked the first time that the Garnet posted two shutouts in both games of a doubleheader in conference play.
The Garnet look to take the momentum of their current three-game winning streak with them as they travel to Ursinus College for another crucial Centennial Conference match-up on Thursday, April 12th, scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.