Garnet Softball Concludes Season at ECAC Championship
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Swarthmore's bid for the E.C.A.C. South Region Softball Championship came to an abrupt halt Sunday morning, as the Garnet fell to host Washington & Jefferson, 6-0, in elimination-round action.
The Presidents (28-12) used an impressive pitching performance by All-Region hurler Rebecca Nachreiner (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) to shut down the Garnet offense. Nachreiner limited Swarthmore to three hits in six innings, striking out four for her 18th win of the season.
Swarthmore got base hits from freshman Krista Scheirer (Norristown, Pa. / Germantown Academy), senior Katherine Gold (Cherry Hill, N.J. / Cherry Hill East) and freshman Melissa Emmerson (Ringwood, N.J. / Lakeland Regional). Gold ends her collegiate career in spectacular fashion, having hit .615 (8 for 13) over four games in the ECAC Championship, with two doubles and five RBIs.
Garnet junior pitcher Alexandra Zelaski (Middleburg, Ohio / Midpark) suffered the loss, falling to 5-10 on the season.
Swarthmore achieved several milestones in the 2008 season, posting an overall record of 23-20 (tying the school record for victories a season), making the Centennial Conference playoffs for a school-record third consecutive season, and winning the first post-season game in school history.
Misericordia and Washington & Jefferson got through the second inning in the Championship game before heavy rain and lightning forced ECAC officials to halt play. Misericordia was declared the 2008 E.C.A.C. South Region Softball Champion.