Riley Makes History In Swat Softball Sweep of Washington, 2-1 and 8-0
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - It was a record-setting day for senior Kathryn Riley, as she picked up her 500th career strikeout in the sixth inning of the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with Washington, while in the second game, she became Swarthmore's all-time hits leader (158) with a double to left field, helping the Swarthmore College softball team (17-17, 9-5) earn a crucial Centennial Conference sweep of the Shorewomen 2-1 and 8-0.
For the day, Riley (11-8) allowed just one run on five hits with 12 strikeouts from the mound, while at the plate, she finished two-of-six with five RBIs, including the ninth home run of her career in the second game, which also ties the all-time Swarthmore mark.
Scheirer's double in Game 1 led the Garnet offense.
The sweep was immensely important for the Garnet, whose Centennial Conference playoff hopes were buoyed by a 4-0 weekend vs. Conference foes. In the first game, the pitching of Riley and the red-hot bat of junior Krista Scheirer were enough to lead the Garnet past the Shorewomen in a tight 2-1 contest.
Scheirer, one of the top hitters in the entire Centennial Conference, got Swat started in the bottom of the second, hitting a lead-off double while scoring on a throwing error by Washington in the next at-bat to give the Garnet a 1-0 lead.
Washington would tie the game in the top of the fourth when leadoff hitter Leigh Carbutt blasted a home run well over the left-center fence to tie the game 1-1.
The score would remain tied until the bottom of the sixth, when the Washington defense once again aided the Swat cause. Following a two-out single from freshman Danielle Seltzer, Liz Cushing came to the plate and knocked a routine grounder to shortstop, only to see the WC fielder misplay the ball, allowing Seltzer to come home for what would be the winning run.
In the second game, a six-run fourth inning proved to be the difference, as Swat rolled to an 8-0 win in five innings. Ahead 1-0, singles from junior Maggie Vizcarra and freshman Angelica Sanchez helped load the bases for freshman Allison Coleman, who singled home a run to make it 2-0. Next up, freshman Katie Smayda doubled in two to give the Garnet a 4-0 cushion while Riley's three-run blast made it 7-0 Swarthmore.
Junior Kira Kern led off the game with a first-inning triple to spark the Garnet offense. Sanchez finished Game 2 3-for-3.
Swarthmore returns to play Tuesday with a non-conference doubleheader with Immaculata beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Video: Riley's 500th strikeout