Muskingum advances early but falls in tight battle to close Regional
Muskingum softball opened the NCAA Swarthmore Regional on Friday with an offensive surge before battling to the final inning in its second game, ultimately seeing its season come to a close in a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Swarthmore on Friday at Clothier Field.
Muskies roll past Messiah
Muskingum began the day with an impressive 11-3 win over Messiah, using timely hitting and a big sixth inning to pull away.
After falling behind 2-0 early, the Muskies responded in the third inning. Sophomore Emily Travis reached and advanced on a pair of Messiah errors, allowing a run to score before junior Olivia Rapol drove in another with a groundout to tie the game at 2-2.
Messiah briefly regained the lead, but Muskingum answered again in the fourth. Junior Natalie Smith evened the score with a sacrifice fly before senior Kaitlyn Bates drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Muskies a 4-3 advantage.
The Muskies added insurance in the fifth, as Smith came through with a two-run single, and then broke things open in the sixth by taking advantage of multiple defensive miscues to plate five runs and extend the lead to 11–3.
In the circle, Muskingum used a steady one-two combination. Freshman Dani Wright earned the win in relief, limiting Messiah's offense over the final 4.2 innings to secure the victory.
Top Hitters (vs. Messiah)
Jr. Bethany Rodman: 2-for-2, 2 runs, walk
Jr. Natalie Smith: 1-for-3, 3 RBI
So. Kasey Timko: 1-for-3, 2 runs
So. Emily Travis: 1-for-1, run, walk
Pitching (vs. Messiah)
Jr. Bethany Rodman: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R
Fr. Dani Wright (W): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 BB
Swarthmore edges Muskingum as season ends
In the second game of the day, Muskingum found itself in a tight pitchers' duel against Swarthmore, with the Muskies dropping a 2-1 decision to be eliminated from regional play.
Muskingum struck first in the fourth inning. After senior Cara Taylor reached and moved into scoring position, sophomore Kasey Timko delivered a bunt single back to the pitcher to bring her home for a 1-0 lead.
Swarthmore answered with a run in the sixth to tie the game before pushing across the go-ahead run in the seventh.
The Muskies mounted a final push in the bottom of the seventh, putting the game-tying run on second base with one out, but were unable to deliver the clutch hit to extend the game, as a pair of outs ended the rally and the season.
Junior Tareyn Born kept Muskingum in the game throughout, tossing a complete game and limiting further damage as the Muskies stayed within striking distance until the final inning.
Top Hitters (vs. Swarthmore)
Sr. Cara Taylor: 2-for-4, run scored
Sr. Elizabeth Wauford: 2-for-3
So. Kasey Timko: 1-for-3, RBI
So. Emily Travis: 1-for-3
Pitching (vs. Swarthmore)
Jr. Tareyn Born (L): 7.0 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 SO
The loss closes the season for Muskingum, marking the program's second NCAA Regional appearance in the last three years and another strong showing on the national stage for the Muskies.