Softball advances to Centennial championship with two wins on Saturday

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The No. 4 seed Haverford College softball team won twice on the opening day of the Centennial Conference championships on Saturday to advance to the championship game on Sunday. Haverford defeated No. 1 seed Ursinus College, 2-1, and then took down No. 2 seed Muhlenberg College, 8-2, later in the day.

The story of the first game was the starting pitchers. Centennial Conference Pitcher of the Year Lauren Davis (24-6) squared off against First-Team All-Centennial Conference selection Becky Garibotto (8-4). Davis allowed seven hits and two earned runs while fanning eight. Garibotto scattered five hits and just one earned run in her complete game effort.

Ursinus (28-9) scored the first run of the game on an RBI double by Jennie Moore with two outs in the third. Haverford answered right back in the top of the fourth. Cassandra Searls led off with a bunt single. Natalie Richman reached on a fielder’s choice as Searls beat the throw from shortstop to second base. After Davis retired the next two batters, Searls stole second and Laina Gagliardi drew a walk to load the bases. Alison Crawford delivered a double to the gap in right center field to bring home Searls and Richman for a 2-1 HC lead.

Both pitchers continued to dominate after allowing runs to score. Garibotto surrendered just two base runners the rest of the way while Davis allowed just three.

In the second game, Muhlenberg (19-16) scored first on a solo homer by Jenna Van Waalwijk in the first. Haverford (22-12) got on the board in the second on an RBI single by Laura Iwanyk. In the third Erin Delaney gave the Fords the lead for good with an RBI single of her own.

HC broke the game wide open in the fourth inning thanks to a four-run frame. Haverford loaded the bases with one out thanks to a Muhlenberg throwing error on a force at second. With two outs Searls laced a triple off the base of the right field fence, scoring Dana Irshay, Candice Smith and Marina Zambrotta. An infield single by Richman brought home Searls for a 6-1 Haverford lead.

Ashley Brewer homered in the top of the sixth to cut the lead to 6-2, but HC added two more in the home half of the inning to increase their lead to 8-2. Richman singled through the right side, scoring Searls and Smith.

Not to be lost in the surplus of offense was the pitching performance of starter Lisa Karmel (8-5). She retired 11 consecutive batters at one point and allowed just five hits while striking out six in 7.0 innings.

The defensive play of the game came in the fourth inning. Haverford held a 2-1 lead with two outs and a runner on first when Samantha Crist doubled over Searls’ head. Smith received the relay throw from Searls and threw a strike to Delaney who blocked the plate as Lacy Hall was called out.

Smith went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Searls, Richman and Delaney all collected two hits apiece.

Haverford will play the winner on Sunday’s elimination game between Muhlenberg and No. 3 Gettysburg College. That game takes place at 9:30 a.m. and Haverford’s game will be played 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. The Fords need just one win to secure the Centennial crown.