April 17, 2012
Tough Luck Softball Drops Pair to Washington College, 3-2 and 7-3
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - It was more heartbreak for the Swarthmore College softball team (14-18, 0-12), which dropped a pair of close games to homestanding Washington College by scores of 3-2 and 7-3 on Tuesday afternoon.
In the first game, sophomore Melissa O'Connor had her best outing of the season on the mound -- striking out 12 batters and allowing just one earned run -- but the Shorewomen took advantage of some late Garnet miscues to rally for a 3-2 win. In the second game, the Shorewomen again made the most of Garnet errors while pounding out 11 hits to earn the 7-3 win.
Junior Kate Smayda led the Garnet offense with five hits for the afternoon, three in the second game and two in the first game. Sophomore Nicole Aaron finished with three hits and two RBI for the day.
Game 1
Behind O'Connor's dominant performance on the hill and RBI hits from Aaron and junior Rose Pitkin, Swarthmore led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
With the first two batters retired to start the bottom of the seventh and the Garnet on the verge of its first Centennial win of the season, the defense began to unravel. With a chance to end the game, senior Elizabeth Cushing committed an error at short to extend the game. A hit and walk from the Shorewomen's next two batters loaded the bases for Kylie Nottingham. She lined the ball down the right-field line, which was misplayed in the outfield to bring home two runs, giving Washington the 3-2 comeback win.
Game 2
The Garnet got another solid starting pitching performance from sophomore Sarina Lowe, who allowed four earned runs over seven innings, but were doomed by six errors and quiet bats.
Pitkin and Aaron again proved the offense for Swarthmore, with each driving in a run.
Aaron's RBI single to right-center field cut the Washington College led to 2-1 after three and half innings, but the Shorewomen would methodically extend their lead over the next three innings.
Washington capitalized on Garnet mistakes in the field, scoring an unearned run in each of the fourth and fifth innings to make it a 4-1 game. The dagger came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when an RBI double from Suzanne Patinella and a two-RBI single from Kristin Cooper made it a 7-1 contest, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Swarthmore concludes its home campaign when it hosts Immaculata for a doubleheader on Thursday. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
