ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - The Haverford College softball team saw its season-opening win streak come to an end Thursday afternoon as host Eastern University edged the Fords, 5-4, in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader.
The Fords (6-1-1) and the Eagles (7-2-1) played to a 7-7 tie in the second game which was called after seven innings because of darkness.
After Eastern jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first game, Haverford responded quickly with two runs of its own in the second as Erin Delaney's single with the bases loaded brought Jen DiCandilo home. Julie Garlick's third RBI of the season scored Dayle Comerford.
The Eagles inched ahead two runs again in the fourth inning but the Fords answered once again with two in the sixth. Stephanie Wolfson led off with a double and Comerford followed two batters later with another two-base hit to score Wolfson. Laura Iwanyk continued the Haverford rally with a single to drive in Comerford for her second run of the game.
The seventh inning however did not go the Fords' way as Eastern managed to score one run on two hits to steal the victory.
Delaney, Comerford, Wolfson, Iwanyk, and Lauren Touey all finished with two hits for Haverford as it pounded out 10 overall including four doubles.
Brittany Stevenson (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season despite five strike outs.
The second game of the day stood tied at 4-4 at the end of the first three innings before both teams struck for runs in the fourth. Elizabeth Newman singled through the left side and after some heads-up base running scored the Fords' only run of the inning as Haverford took a 5-4 lead. The Eagles responded with two in the bottom of the inning, despite some nice defensive work by the Fords' outfield, and one more in the fifth to edge out in front 7-5.
Haverford fought back to tie up the contest in the seventh as Laina Gagliardi scored on Newman's third hit of the game and Delaney safely came home on a wild pitch. The Fords continued the strong effort in the bottom of the seventh with great defense to hold Eastern off the scoreboard before the game ended on account of darkness.
Jill Schnall led the Haverford offense with a three-RBI effort.
Touey, Stevenson, and Wolfson shared pitching duties for the contest.
The Fords return to action on Tuesday, March 20 at 3 p.m. as they host Cabrini College for the first game of a non-conference doubleheader.