Susquehana And Drew Split Softball Doubleheader

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Susquehanna lost an extra-inning game one of a doubleheader against Landmark Conference opponent Drew before winning the second game by a 5-1 final.

The Cruasders spoiled Drew's Lauren Collini's no-hitter with a two-hit sixth inning. Gretchen Halsey (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) led off the inning with a single. Danielle McCann (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) roped toward the shortstop, but Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area), who pinch ran for Halsey, was ruled out on an interference call to end the inning.

Drew's Kati Eggert reached first on a single in the eighth, and she advanced on a sacrifice to third. Eggert reached home by means of a Kerry Crowley double that served to be the go-ahead run.

Bekah Bennett (Mifflinburg, Pa./Milton) pitched a gem, allowing just one run on eight hits with four strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) made history in Saturday's second game against Drew as she struck out more batters in a game than any other pitcher in Susquehanna softball history with 14.

Swerdlow pitched a complete game as the Crusaders won the second contest against the Rangers by a 5-1 score. Swerdlow retired seven straight batters spanning from the third inning to the fifth inning.

Susquehanna responded to Drew's one-run first inning by batting around in the bottom of the first inning, scoring five runs while forcing the Rangers to make two pitching changes.

Kelli Holota (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) paced the Crusader offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Holota, who was on the receiving end of Swerdlow's 14-strikeout performance, recorded 14 putouts.

Notably, Laurie Blaszka (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills Regional) batted 2-for-4 with one run scored.

Drew's Collini entered the game after the Rangers struggled in the first inning, and the first-game winner stopped the bleeding with three strikeouts and no earned runs throughout her 5.1 innings of work.