Non-Conference Campaign A Bumpy Trail For Garnet
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- The Swarthmore softball team, fresh off clinching a third consecutive Centennial playoff berth on Saturday afternoon, found little respite in its three-game break from Conference action.
Regional softball power Moravian (28-6) came to Clothier Fields on Tuesday afternoon and swept both ends of a doubleheader from Swarthmore (20-14), winning by scores of 7-0 and 7-1.
Moravian represents the type of tough non-conference opponent littering Swarthmore’s schedule in 2008. Other big names that jump out are 18th-ranked Rowan (30-5), #19 Methodist (34-10), Salisbury (30-7), and Peace (27-17).
Garnet junior Christine Sendelsky (Edison, N.J. / John Stevens) led Swarthmore on Tuesday with two hits and a run, and made two spectacular plays with the glove.
In game one, Moravian struck for six runs on five hits in the fifth and then tacked on another run in the seventh, courtesy of a RBI double by junior catcher Deanna Mangieri (Pleasantville, N.J. / Byram Hills).
Garnet starting pitcher Kathryn Riley (Dagsboro, Del. / Indian River) suffered the loss, pitching all seven frames striking out two batters while falling to 15-6 on the season.
A three-run third inning in game two was highlighted by a two-run double by Moravian infielder Kelly Santry (Hatboro, Pa. / Upper Moreland), putting the Greyhounds in front 4-0.
Swarthmore got on the board in the fifth inning when Sendelsky reached on fielder’s choice and scored all the way from first on a deep double to right field by Garnet freshman Krista Scheirer (Norristown, Pa. / Germantown Academy).
Greyhound starter Maria DeBonis (Nazareth, Pa. / Notre Dame) picked up both wins for Moravian, pitching all 14 innings with 14 strikeouts to improve to 15-3 on the season.
Swarthmore junior Alexandra Zelaski (Middleburg, Ohio / Midpark) took the loss in game two, falling to 5-6 overall.
The Garnet culminate their grueling 2008 non-conference schedule this Thursday, crossing the Delaware River to face #18 Rowan for a single game at 4:00 p.m. Swarthmore concludes the regular season on Saturday, April 26 with a Centennial doubleheader at Haverford. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.