SWARTHMORE, Pa. — The Haverford College softball team (26–12) suffered its first loss of the Centennial Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon, falling to top-seeded Swarthmore (31–8) by an 8–0 final in the Centennial Conference Semifinals at Clothier Field.
Shelby Preisser led the Haverford offense with a perfect 2-for-2 performance, while Lauren Martin and Abby Litchfield each added a hit, with Litchfield recording the Fords' lone extra-base hit with a double. Kaleigh Bodak took the loss in the circle, tossing three innings and allowing two runs on seven hits, while Preisser added 1.2 innings in relief.
Swarthmore struck first in the opening inning, as Emilee Espinoza singled to left center to bring home Iris Barone for a 1–0 lead. Later in the frame, Ava Babcock drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run, extending the advantage to 2–0.
After a scoreless second and third innings, the Garnet added to their lead in the fourth. Espinoza delivered once again with an RBI single to right center, scoring Barone to push the lead to 3–0.
Swarthmore broke the game open in the fifth inning with a five-run outburst. Kate Borza worked a leadoff walk before Ava Babcock struck out looking for the first out of the frame. Lia Fong then doubled to right center, moving Borza to third, and Elisabeth O'Connor followed with a two-run double to left field. O'Connor advanced to third on the throw and later scored on a throwing error, bringing the score to 6–0. Barone drew a walk and proceeded to steal both second and third before Regan Valenzuela lined out to shortstop for the second out. Espinoza added to her big day with an RBI single to center field, scoring Barone to make it 7–0. After a pitching change, Avery McClure singled, and Linnaea Rasmussen reached on a fielder's choice while an error allowed Espinoza to advance. Borza then drew her second walk of the inning with the bases loaded, forcing in the final run and securing the 8–0 run-rule victory.
Haverford will now take on Gettysburg on Saturday, May 2, in an elimination game at Clothier Field. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m.
