Arcadia Softball Uses Heart to Take Swarthmore into Extra Frames

Senior Lindsey Henchinski prevents Swarthmore from gaining scoring position in today's opener

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SWARTHMORE, PA (April 12, 2012) – Arcadia Softball opened up today's non-conference doubleheader at Swarthmore College losing a top hitter to a collision on defense in the bottom of the first and would drop the opener by a 6-1 count but give up they did not. It would take something special in the nightcap to eclipse the explosive five run inning put up by the hosts in the third so Arcadia went to something for which there is no known measure – heart.

The Knights showed plenty of it in the nightcap, fighting back from a four run deficit with power hitting and deadly pitching, running a 5-5 game all the way into the bottom of the ninth when the Garnet scored the game winner on an RBI single off the international tie-breaker rule to escape with the 6-5 win.

Leanda Helms '14 sailed her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the second inning of game two, over the center field fence giving the Knights an early 1-0 lead and ignited a home-run derby between the two squads.

The Garnet bats out-hit Arcadia 13-3 in the opening tilt, and continue to connect into game two, using a three-run bomb from Elizabeth Cushing followed by a two-run shot from Nicole Aaron, all in the third to go up 5-1. The Knights got one back however, a fourth inning RBI double from Erin Wojcieszyn '12 that scored Corrin Showalter '13 allowing the Garnet just a 5-2 advantage.

Arcadia pitcher Kelsey Roberts '12 entered in the fourth in relief of game one closer and game two starter Heather Buriak '13, and drew from her wheelhouse, giving Swarthmore the business from start. Roberts fanned two Garnet batters in a 1-2-3 frame which aroused the Arcadia offense into a fifth inning game-tying rally.

With runners on first and second and Helms relaxed in the batter's box dealing with a 2-2 count against her, the Knight's catcher delivered a swift long ball, again over the fence in center and was greeted back at home plate by her teammates and fives showing on both sides of the board.

Swarthmore then gave the ball back to game one winner Sarina Lowe, setting off a pitcher's duel with Roberts over the ensuing five frames.

After Robert's fanned a pair of Garnett batters in the fourth, she racked up four more behind her Knight's stonewall defense that showed through the remaining innings. Both teams'showed no signs of backing down. The Knights made numerous on-spot defensive stops in the field as Roberts continued to throw with heat, while the Garnet benefited from a pair of diving catches in center to keep Arcadia from gaining scoring position. Arcadia's persistence however, nearly paid off in the top of the ninth.

Alexandra Schafer '15 took second on the international tie-breaker rule and a lead-off sac bunt from Roberts moved her 60 feet away from the game winning tally. Wojcieszyn then delivered what was about to be the game winning hit when Lowe vaulted from the circle for the ball and narrowly beat Schafer at home on the throw to deny Arcadia the game. Swarthmore then got the hit they needed in the home half, an RBI single to right field to steal game two and sweep the doubleheader.

Roberts finished her two-hitter with 6 K's and 3 walks through 5.1 innings while Helms enjoyed a perfect game two (2-2, 2 runs, 4 RBI) at the dish.

The Knights now stand at 13-15 overall and are looking to build upon their 2-6 Commonwealth Conference record when they travel to Williamsport, PA this Saturday to face the Warriors of Lycoming College. Lycoming is winless against league opponents thus far and stands at 5-16 overall.

Arcadia Head Coach Linda Detra, who continues to linger on the verge of her 400^th career victory, pointed to Saturday's match-up as integral to the Knights staying in the hunt for a post-season berth. "Two of our remaining three series are against Lycoming and Albright, two teams yet to get a league win this year," noted Detra. "We are looking to do some good things in those series and hope to take a game against Messiah when we play them at home next weekend."

Saturday's first pitch against the Warriors is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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