April 9, 2008

Swartslander Delivers Twice in 5-4 Comeback

     PITTSBURG -- Tera Swartslander doubled home the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning, then delivered the game-winning double in the bottom of the ninth as Pittsburg State University rallied for a 5-4 win over Southwest Baptist University Wednesday (Apr. 9) at the PSU Softball Complex.
    The Gorillas (17-20, 5-2 MIAA) jumped out to a quick 3-0 first-inning lead against the Bearcats (11-15, 2-3 MIAA). Tiffany Swanson had a two-run double and Jessica Jones added a run-scoring double in the frame against Bearcat starter Brittney Wood.
     SBU reliever Christy Degano (0-3) entered the game in the second inning and held Pitt State hitless until the seventh though, retiring 16 batters in a row before Eileen Treff drew a leadoff walk in the final scheduled inning.
    Following a sacrifice bunt, Swartslander lined a double into the left-center gap to score Treff and force extra innings.
    She made a winner of Swanson (12-6) two innings later when she doubled to right-center to score Haley Deaton, who opened the ninth with a base hit.
    The Bearcats plated their four runs in the top of the fifth on four hits and a PSU fielding error.