CLERMONT, Fla. — The Haverford College softball team (7-1) picked up two impressive victories Thursday afternoon at THE Spring Games, routing Curry College (3-5), 11–3, before edging Suffolk (6-6), 5–4, on a walk-off hit. The wins propel the Fords to their best start since 2013, when they opened the season 8–1.
Haverford 11, Curry College 3 - Six Innings
The Haverford College softball team used an 18-hit offensive outburst and strong relief pitching to defeat Curry, 11–3.
The Fords were powered at the plate by several standout performances, as each starter collected at least one hit. Sarah Fan led the Scarlet and Black with a 3-for-4 day and two runs scored. Kyra Van Denburgh finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, while Jocelyn Leal and Addie Sapirstein each added two hits, with Sapirstein driving in a run and tripling. Abby Litchfield went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Zoe Friedman also contributed two hits and two RBIs. Lauren Martin posted a 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored and a walk, while Grace Stowe added a hit and scored once as Haverford piled up 18 hits in the victory.
Haverford struck first in the top of the first inning. Abby Litchfield singled through the right side, allowing Jocelyn Leal to score after a fielding error by the Curry right fielder. Later in the inning, Zoe Friedman singled down the left-field line and advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop, bringing home both Lauren Martin and Litchfield to extend the Fords' lead to 3–0.
Curry responded in the bottom of the first when Karlie Pontes singled to right field to drive in Kailey Collins-Fiore, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
The Scarlet and Black added two more runs in the top of the second inning. Leal singled to third base and advanced to second on an error by the third baseman, allowing Sarah Fan to score. Later in the inning, Litchfield grounded out to second base, bringing home Kyra Van Denburgh to push the lead to 5–1.
Haverford extended the advantage in the top of the third when Leal reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, allowing Clarissa Smith to cross the plate and making the score 6–1.
The Fords continued to add on in the top of the fourth inning. Addie Sapirstein ripped a triple to left-center field to score Lauren Martin. Sapirstein later crossed the plate when Friedman lifted a fly ball to center field that resulted in a throwing error, stretching the lead to 8–1.
Curry plated a run in the bottom of the fourth when Tara Goldman reached on an error by the Haverford first baseman that allowed Lizzy Helmar to score, trimming the margin to 8–2.
Haverford answered in the top of the fifth as Litchfield doubled down the left-field line to drive in Shelby Preisser, extending the lead to 9–2.
The Scarlet and Black added two more runs in the top of the sixth when Kyra Van Denburgh singled through the right side to score both Fan and Grace Stowe, pushing the advantage to 11–2.
Curry scored its final run in the bottom of the sixth on a fielder's choice bunt by Olivia Roy that allowed Renee Gonneville to score, but the Ducks could not mount a comeback as Haverford closed out the 11–3 victory.
Haverford 5, Suffolk 4
The Haverford College softball team rallied late to earn a thrilling 5–4 walk-off victory over Suffolk in their second game of the day on Thursday afternoon, with Abby Litchfield delivering the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Fords were led offensively by Litchfield, who finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including the decisive run in the final frame. Kyra Van Denburgh also recorded a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Jocelyn Leal crossed the plate twice and added a hit. Lauren Martin chipped in a hit and a run scored, and Zoe Friedman and Grace Stowe each drove in a run as the Scarlet and Black collected eight hits in the contest.
In the circle, Shelby Preisser made the start for Haverford and worked five innings, allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned) while issuing two walks and striking out one. Sophia Faruol came on in relief and kept the Fords within striking distance, allowing just one unearned run over the final two innings to earn the win and improve to 3–0 on the season.
Suffolk struck first in the top of the first inning when Julia Mills grounded out to second base, allowing Ava Lanza to score and give the Rams an early 1–0 lead. With runners at second and third, Preisser was able to sneak out of a tight jam by striking out Dana Still, before forcing a groundout out of Jolie Quinn, to keep the deficit at just 1–0.
Haverford responded in the bottom of the second. After Addie Sapirstein reached and moved into scoring position, Stowe grounded out to second base, bringing Sapirstein home to even the score at 1–1.
The Scarlet and Black grabbed their first lead in the bottom of the third. Leal reached base and later came around to score when Litchfield lined a single to right field, putting Haverford ahead 2–1.
Suffolk answered in the top of the fourth inning as Lanza delivered an RBI single to bring home Abby Barnaby and tie the game at 2–2. The Rams continued to apply pressure in the following innings, reclaiming the lead in the fifth when Claire Basaldua singled to score Lily Newhall for a 3–2 advantage.
Suffolk extended its lead in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Catherine Carignan that brought Sara Butera across the plate, pushing the Rams ahead 4–2.
Facing a two-run deficit late, the Fords began to mount their comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning. Friedman delivered a timely RBI single that plated Martin and trimmed the margin to 4–3, setting the stage for a dramatic final frame.
In the bottom of the seventh, Haverford completed the rally. Van Denburgh crossed the plate on a wild pitch all the way from second base, to tie the game at 4–4.. Moments later, with runners in scoring position, Litchfield stepped to the plate and lined a single into center field, allowing Leal to race home with the winning run and sealing the 5–4 walk-off victory for the Fords.
The Scarlet and Black will return to action on Friday, March 13, playing their final two games of THE Spring Games, taking on Blackburn at 12:30 p.m., before challenging Regis (Mass.) at 2:45 p.m.
