HAVERFORD, Pa. - Playing its first weekend doubleheader at home this season, the Haverford College softball team (10-16, 5-3 CC) registered a huge sweep of conference-leading McDaniel, dismantling the Green Terror (14-15, 7-3 CC) with 5-2 and 4-2 victories behind strong pitching performances and some timely at-bats.
In game one, the Fords immediately fell into a 2-0 hole as the Green Terror took advantage of some early base runners to plate a pair on an RBI groundout and a wild pitch. Haverford got one back in the bottom of the frame, with Abby Marquis putting a charge into a double to center field to plate Kaila Uyeda. Madison Hubjer singled with one down in the second, and Maddie Etheridge punched a single into left field to plate Hujber, tying the contest at 2-2. Marquis again doubled in the third inning, and pinch runner Carina Whiting then scored on an error to give Haverford the lead.
Marquis continued her big day with a walk in the fourth, and connected on a long home run to left center in the sixth following Uyeda's one-out single, grabbing two crucial insurance runs heading into the seventh. Makayla Calamita singled to lead off the Green Terror seventh, but a fielders choice putout at second gave Haverford its first out of the frame. Paytyn Hazelton then sent a rocket to Kingsland at third base, as the junior doubled off Kylie Sears, ending the game on an emphatic double play.
Maya Casey evened her record at 6-6 with a stellar turn in the circle. She allowed just two earned runs and struck out two, scattering five hits in a complete game effort. Marquis was 3-for-3 with three RBI to pace the Haverford offense. Uyeda and Tessa Pearstein each had multi-hit games. For the Green Terror, Isabella Sylvester was the catalyst at the top of the order, with three hits in her three trips to the plate. Krista Waller was a tough-luck loser with her complete game effort, scattering 10 hits and three earned runs over six innings.
In game two, Marquis seemingly had no plans of slowing down after he game one-effort, lacing an RBI double to plate Uyeda in the first inning, giving Haverford the early advantage. McDaniel bounced back with a run in the fourth, and briefly took the lead in the fifth as Evie Craig pushed across a run with the single through the right side of the infield. A sixth-inning rally gave the Fords the lead as the first three Haverford batters reached to begin the inning before Hujber delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 2-2.
With two out, Maddie Etheridge then struck for a pair of RBI, plating Pearlstein and Kingsland to give Haverford a two-run cushion heading into the final frame. McQueen continued the strong work in the circle with seven six-hit innings, surrendering two earned runs and three walks while striking out three. McQueen delivered the win with a straightforward seventh inning, working around a two-out hit by pitch to seal things for the Fords.
Mia Kessinger had a two-hit day to pace Haverford in game two, while Craig notched three hits for the visitors. Haverford looks to cement its place near the top of the crowded CC standings on Tuesday, heading to Muhlenberg for a doubleheader. First pitch of the contest is slated for 3 p.m. with game two to follow at approximately 5 p.m.
The Fords then return home on Saturday, April 23 with the home finale doubleheader against F&M as the Fords will celebrate Senior Day at Class of '95 Field.