Riley to the Rescue as Swat Softball Splits With Arcadia
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Senior pitcher Kathryn Riley struck out seven batters while allowing just two hits in four innings of relief work in the first game to lead the Swarthmore College softball team (11-17) to a split with Arcadia on Thursday evening from the College. Behind the performance of Riley, Swat took the first game 9-4 while the Knights (9-12) rallied to take the second game 8-0.
Riley struck out seven in just four innings of work.
Freshman Kate Smayda and junior Kira Kern sparked the Garnet offense in the first game from the top of the order. Smayda, the leadoff hitter, finished the game with two hits and three RBIs, while Kern finished with a team-high three hits and two RBIs from the two spot.
The game was tied 4-4 when Riley (5-8) entered in relief of starter sophomore Marley Spector, who allowed three earned runs on seven hits in three innings of work. The Garnet's standout hurler dominated from her first pitch, simply shutting down the Knight offense strikeout by strikeout.
Swat took the lead and broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning. Junior Krista Scheirer led things off with a double to centerfield and was brought home two batters later on a single from Allie Coleman, giving the Garnet the lead at 5-4. An RBI single form freshman Emily Richardson made it a 6-4 Swat lead with just one out, setting up Smayda for the knockout punch.
With the bases loaded, Smayda connected on a double to deep center field, bringing home two more runs to give Swarthmore an 8-4 advantage, putting the game out of reach.
In the second game, Arcadia tagged Swat freshmen pitchers Isabel Sanchez (4-6) and Julia Tallarico for 11 hits and eight runs en route to the 8-0 win.
Swarthmore returns to Centennial Conference with a trip to McDaniel on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m.