Riley Shines on Senior Day as Swat Softball Sweeps F&M 6-0 and 9-0
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - It was a Senior Day to remember for senior Kathryn Riley, as the hurler tossed two complete-game shutouts - including a season-best 12 strikeout performance in the first game - while pounding out five hits at the plate as the Swarthmore College softball team (15-17, 7-5) swept visiting Franklin & Marshall 6-0 and 9-0 on Saturday afternoon from Clothier Field.
The outstanding performances from Riley on the mound and at the plate set the senior up for a record-breaking Sunday doubleheader vs. Washington; with her 20 strikeouts on the day, Riley is just six away from 500 for her career, while her four hits on Saturday moved her into a first-place tie for most career hits in program history (157).
Riley struck out 20 batters over two games.
Junior Krista Scheirer blasted her third home run of the season in the second game and knocked home a two-run double in the first game as part of her three-hit day to pace the Garnet offense.
In the first game, a big third inning proved to be the difference for the Garnet - with the assistance from the Diplomat defense. Thanks to back-to-back errors from F&M, the bases were full of Garnet when Riley came to the plate with just one out. She singled home a run to give Swat a 2-0 lead. Next up, freshman Danielle Seltzer drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing home another run to make it 3-0 Swat. The final dagger came from the bat of Scheirer, whose double down the left line brought home the final two runs, making it a 5-0 Garnet lead.
In the second game, Swat jumped on the Dips from the get-go, batting around and scoring eights runs in the first inning en route to the 9-0 win. Eight of Swat's nine starters finished with at least one hit, led by Riley and Scheirer's two hits.
Senior Michele Perch finished the day with a single in the second game.
Swarthmore will look to take control of its playoff destiny when it hosts Washington on Sunday in a CC doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.