Softball Back to Winning Ways With Sweep of PSU-Abington
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - A return to the friendly confines of Clothier Field was just what the Swarthmore College softball needed following a six-game Spring Break road trip, as the Garnet dispatched visiting Penn-State Abington 9-0 and 16-3 to sweep the doubleheader on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon from the College.
Freshman Kate Smayda had all-around outstanding performance for the Garnet, combining for three hits and four RBI at the plate while winning Game 2 on the mound for her first collegiate victory (1-0). Sophomore Liz Cushing and fellow freshman Danielle Seltzer both combined for three hits and three RBI over the two games, including two doubles for each in the first game.
Game 1
Sanchez shut down the Lions for her second career win.
It took awhile, but once the Garnet offense got rolling, there was no stopping it in the first game against the Lions.
The Garnet used a six-run explosion in the third inning, as well a two-hit shutout from freshman Isabel Sanchez (2-2) to get past the Lions 9-0 in five innings.
Scoreless heading into the third inning, Swat batted around the line-up to take control of the game. Smayda got it started with a one-out single, and was followed on basepaths by junior Kira Kern (single) and freshman Erin Curtis (walk). With the bases loaded, Cushing got the goose egg off the board for Swat, doubling to right field to bring home two runs, giving the Garnet a 2-0 lead.
But the offense wasn't finished quite yet. Next up, Seltzer connected on a two-baser of her own - almost to the exact same spot on the field - scoring two more runs to make it a 4-0 game.
Now with two outs, RBI singles from junior Krista Schierer and freshman Angelica Sanchez brought home two more runs, completing the big six-run inning.
In the fourth inning, two more RBI doubles from Cushing and Seltzer brought three more runs across the plate, bringing the game to the 9-0 final.
Isabel Sanchez allowed just two hits for the complete game shutout (2-2) while striking out five. Danielle Zinar took the loss for Penn-State Abington.
Game 2
A combination of 10 hits and 14 walks was more than enough for the Garnet, as Swarthmore cruised to a 16-3 win in five innings in the second game.
Smayda picked up her first career win on the mound (1-0),while also getting it done at the plate with four hits and two RBI for the game. Junior Maggie Vizcarra added two hits, while junior Melissa Emmerson brought home three runs.
Cushing, Seltzer, senior Melissa Perch, sophomore Marley Spector, freshman Allison Coleman and freshman Katie Teleky all hit safely for the Garnet, who opened the game with a 5-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back.
The Garnet return to action on Thursday with a trip to Elizabethtown. Doubleheader action will begin at 3:00
Video Highlight: Third-inning rally seals in Game 1