CLERMONT, Fla. - The Haverford College softball team erupted for a program-record 22 runs as part of a dominating 22-1 non-conference victory in five innings over Franciscan University of Steubenville on Tuesday night at Hancock Park. The Fords continued their winning ways in the nightcap as Haverford edged Hood College, 5-4, to win its fourth straight.
The Fords (7-1) tallied 19 runs on 13 hits in the first three innings of the opener as they batted around each time. Setting the tone early, Haverford registered hits in its initial six at-bats including a two-RBI triple by Dayle Comerford.
After a seven-run effort in the first, the Fords tacked on six more runs in the second. Jen DiCandilo started things off with a double while Elizabeth Newman drove in two with her second hit of the game.
Breaking up the shutout bid, the Barons (1-4) scored one run in the second but Haverford was far from finished as it answered with another six-spot in the third. Claire Fitzgerald, Stephanie Wolfson and Gabrielle Sapienza all contributed singles as the Fords chased starting pitcher Eloise Rover (0-1).
Haverford added three more runs in the fifth with the help of singles from Wolfson, Jill Schnall and Newman. The 22 runs scored established a new program record replacing the previous record of 17 reached in this year's season-opening shutout of Penn State-Abington.
Striking out five, Fitzgerald (1-1) pitched the final three innings to earn her first win of the season.
The day's schedule was delayed by two hours on account of morning rain. Despite a late start time for the Fords' second contest against Hood, Haverford's bats still had some runs left in them.
After Emily Winesett (4-0) struck out the side in the top of the first, DiCandilo's RBI-single brought freshman Miwa Wenzel home in the bottom of the frame to give the Fords the early lead.
Haverford came alive again in the bottom of the fifth with three runs on one hit. Newman and DiCandilo crossed the plate on Comerford's bunt single before Comerford's aggressive baserunning led to the final run of the inning.
Kali Ball helped Hood (5-3) get on the board in the sixth with a two-out three-run home run off Winesett. A single by Jackie Yurchak and double from Keerstie Robinson led to the tying run but Winesett sparkled under pressure as she caught Jenkins looking to register her 13th strikeout of the game and avoid further damage.
Looking to shake off the rally by the Blazers, the Fords needed a base runner and Julie Garlick came through with a one-out single up the middle. Garlick's presence on the base paths proved to be the difference as two errors by Hood in the inning led to the sophomore scoring the eventual winning run.
The Blazers threatened in the top of the seventh with a one-out single of their own. Winesett rose to the occasion once again, however, as the freshman stepped up with consecutive strikeouts to end the game.
Winesett's 15-strikeout performance tied the program game record set by classmate Sara Tauriello on Sunday.
Robinson (3-2) suffered the loss in the circle for Hood.
Haverford gets right back into action on Wednesday with contests against Westfield State University and Bethel (Minn.) College at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.