ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Haverford College softball team accounted for Muhlenberg College's first Centennial Conference loss of the season with a 9-1 victory over the host Mules on Tuesday afternoon. Muhlenberg edged the Fords 2-1 in Game 1 of the conference doubleheader.

Facing a tough challenge in its initial conference action of the season, Haverford (12-4, 1-1 CC) shook off the narrow loss in Game 1 with a solid performance at the plate in the nightcap to earn a split on the day. The Fords combined for nine runs on 11 hits which was no easy feat considering the Mules (13-3, 5-1) entered the contest giving up an average of just a little more than two runs per game.

Lauren Touey got Haverford's offense started in the third with a leadoff double and Jen DiCandilo later knocked her home with an RBI-single through the left side. The Fords scored two more runs in the inning to move out to a 3-0 lead prior to Haverford starting pitcher Sara Tauriello (3-1) sending Muhlenberg down in order in the bottom of the frame.

The Fords went on to produce two more runs in the fourth on singles by Touey, Jill Schnall and DiCandilo before the Mules scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the inning.

Tauriello and senior Brittany Stevenson combined to hold the Mules to just one hit over the final three innings while the Haverford offense continued to swing hot bats.

The Fords added one run in the sixth on an RBI-triple by Julie Garlick and then closed out the day's scoring with three more runs in the seventh.

DiCandilo, who set the program record for career doubles during the game, went 3-for-4 in the contest. The senior third baseman entered the day tied with Lindsey Sullivan '08 with 40 career doubles but she moved to the top of the charts with a two-base shot to left center in the first inning. 

Touey and Kristin Tatum each finished 2-for-3 while Schnall drove home two runs.

Tauriello struck out five and surrendered just one hit in six innings of work before giving way to Stevenson.

The opening game of the twinbill saw the hosts score two runs in the third on three hits. Haverford battled back with one run in the fourth on back-to-back singles by DiCandilo and Dayle Comerford and an RBI-double from Kristin Tatum.

The Fords, however, would manage only one more hit off of Muhlenberg starting pitcher Kelsey Jones (7-1) over the remainder of the contest.

Sophomore Emily Winesett (4-1) suffered the loss in the circle for Haverford.

Next up for the Fords is a rematch of last year's Centennial final as defending champion Washington College (14-4, 3-1) comes to Class of '95 Field on Thursday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.