CLERMONT, Fla. – The Haverford College softball team (1-4) earned their first win of the season in a comeback effort against Penn State Berks on day three of The Spring Games tournament in Clermont, Florida at the Legends Way Softball Complex. In the seventh inning, the Fords used a trio of clutch at-bats from Michelle Kaplan, Madison Hujber, and Carley Parsons to down the Nittany Lions 2-1.
Maya Casey was again on the mound for the Fords to begin the second contest of the day. Casey pitched all seven innings, only giving up one run while striking out six Nittany Lions. She was in for a real battle with PSU Berks' Arizona Shreck, who also pitched all seven innings as the two sides swapped scoreless frames in the early goings. Casey didn't make it easy for the opposing team, only giving up four hits in the opening four innings, including a 1-2-3 inning in the second. After that, it was up to the Fords to make their at-bats count, as Casey had total control of her pitches. However, PSU Berks got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, leaving the Fords to mount a comeback in the final two innings. After a scoreless sixth, the Fords finally got it going on offense in the seventh.
Michelle Kaplan got things started with a lead-off triple, putting Haverford in a prime position to tie the game. The Fords did just that when Madison Hujber singled to right field, bringing Kaplan home. With one out, Abby Olivier grounded out for out number two. Still, Hujber reached second safely on the grounder, putting her in scoring position. Carly Parsons stepped up to the plate with the game-winning run on second. Haverford took the lead after Parsons' RBI single to center field. Kaila Uyeda would later ground out for the third out, but the damage was already done. A clean seventh inning from Casey sealed the win for the Fords, bringing day three in Florida to an end.
Haverford also faced off with Johnson and Wales earlier in the afternoon. A full recap of that contest will be available once statistics are finalized.
The Fords now get a day off before returning to action on Thursday for a double-header against Catholic at 2:45 p.m., then Plymouth State at 5 p.m.