Zelaski Puts Up Donut, Garnet Split at Shore
SALISBURY, Mary. -- Garnet junior pitcher Alexandra Zelaski tossed a two-hitter while freshman Melissa Emmerson and Maggie Vizcarra combined for three RBIs as the Swarthmore softball team defeated Wilson 3-0 in the opening round of the 2008 Sea Gull Tournament hosted by Salisbury College Saturday afternoon.
The Garnet (3-5) fell to Salisbury 7-0 in the second game, as the host Sea Gulls (8-5) benefited from a six-run second inning.
Zelaski (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark) dominated Wilson (2-1) in the morning contest, tossing all seven frames with eight strike outs for her first shut out of the season (sixth of her career).
Emmerson (Ringwood, N.J. / Lakeland Regional) was 2 for 3 at the plate, driving in a pair of runs while Vizcarra (Long Beach, Calif. / Long Beach) continued her hot start, going 1 for 2 while driving in the other run.
“I’m excited about our start, considering the tough schedule,” said head coach Renee Clarke. “The upperclassmen are doing their jobs and the freshmen are contributing.”
The second game of the afternoon featured host Salisbury taking on All-Centennial hurler Kathryn Riley (Dagsboro, Del. / Indian River). The Sea Gulls, participants in the Division III NCAA tournament 11 straight times, had six players cross home plate in the fateful second inning.
The score did not do justice to the competition at hand, as the Garnet kept pace in the hit category (7-7), yet stranded eight runners. “It felt like a 1-0 game,” said Clarke. “We continue to battle, increasing the mental strength that will serve us so well in the Centennial.”
Riley (2-2) suffered the loss despite spreading the six out over seven innings, striking out 99. Junior outfielder Lauren Walker (Fallston, Mary. / The Hotchkiss School) was 2 for 4 at the plate while Vizcarra posted a 2-for-3 effort.
Swarthmore wraps up play in the Sea Gull Tournament on Sunday morning, facing Capital at 9:00 a.m. and then a re-match with Salisbury at 1:00 p.m. The Garnet make their home debut this Thursday, March 20, hosting Wesley in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader.