Strong Pitching Helps Bears Sweep Garnet Softball
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Visiting Ursinus (12-2, 2-0) scored runs in sixth and seventh innings to spoil an outstanding pitching performance from freshman hurler Isabel Sanchez, as the Bears completed the doubleheader sweep over the Swarthmore College softball team (8-14, 1-3) with a 2-1 win in game two on Thursday afternoon from Clothier Field. Ursinus took the first game 5-0.
Sanchez allowed just one earned run in the Garnet's game two loss.
Ursinus was led by two strong pitching performances from senior Lauren Davis-Macedonia (9-1). The Centennial Conference ERA and strikeout leader, Davis-Macedonia limited the Garnet to just one run over two games while combining to strike out 15 for the day.
Pitching one of the best games of her young career, Sanchez (4-5) was in complete control for much of the second game for Swat, finishing the game with six strikeouts while allowing just three hits and one earned run.
Swarthmore took a 1-0 lead in the third inning of game two. After Smayda and junior Kira Kern reached base on singles and senior Michelle Perch reached after being hit by a pitch, senior Kathryn Riley drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Garnet the lead.
Thanks to the pitching of Sanchez, that lead held until the sixth inning. A two-out single from Ursinus' Allison Pfrommer - just the Bears third of the game - brought home the tying run to even the score 1-1 after six.
In the top of the seventh, Ursinus scored the winning run without recording a hit. Kelly Kalovcak led the inningoff with a walk and advanced to third base on consecutive sacrifice bunts. Then with two outs, a throwing error by Sanchez on the potential final out of the inning plated Kalovcak, giving the Bears a 2-1 lead that last until the final out.
In the first game, the Bears offense tagged starter Riley (2-6) for five runs on 12 hits and starter Davis-Macedonia limited the Garnet offense to just six hits en route to the 5-0 win.
Freshman Kate Smayda, sophomore Liz Cushing and junior Krista Scheirer each finished with two hits to pace the Garnet offense in the first game.
Swarthmore is back at home on Saturday for a Centennial Conference double-dip with Gettysburg. Action is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.