HAVERFORD, Pa. - Laura Iwanyk delivered the game-winning RBI in the ninth inning as the Haverford College softball team outlasted visiting Franklin & Marshall, 2-1, in extra innings of Game 1 of a Centennial Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Fords fell to the Diplomats, 5-0, in Game 2.
Haverford (15-12-1, 2-8 CC) and F&M (12-15-1, 4-6) engaged in a defensive battle from the onset of the contest as both squads managed just one hit apiece through the first three innings of Game 1.
Dayle Comerford opened the scoring in the fourth with her third home run of the season to center field.
The Diplomats answered with the tying run in the seventh to send the game to extra innings.
Claire Fitzgerald (8-4) struck out Danielle Murphy to end the eighth frame after Franklin & Marshall loaded the bases with two outs.
When the Dips threatened once again in the top of the ninth with a base runner, the Fords defense, aided by another Fitzgerald strike out, stood tall to set the stage for the thrilling finish.
Jen DiCandilo's sacrifice bunt moved Lauren Touey, who led off with a single up the middle, into scoring position. Franklin & Marshall countered by issuing an intentional walk to Comerford which brought Iwanyk to the plate.
Delivering her first hit of the day in resounding fashion, Iwanyk laced a double to center to bring Touey home and give Haverford the win.
Fitzgerald, pitching a complete game, finished with five strikeouts.
Looking for the sweep, the Fords fell behind early in Game 2 as the Dips moved out to a 3-0 lead over the first three frames of the contest.
Franklin & Marshall pitcher Kaitlin Zampino made thoughts of a comeback difficult as she struck out 12 while holding Haverford to just five hits.
The Diplomats tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth and then shut down the Fords in the bottom half of the inning when they threatened with two runners on and one out.
Brittany Stevenson (5-8) struck out five in the loss while also registering two hits at the plate.
Next up for Haverford is a trip to Ursinus College next Thursday, April 19. The Centennial doubleheader begins at 3 p.m.