Philadelphia, Pa. - (4/18/2019) – Chestnut Hill College split today's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (
CACC) series with the University of the Sciences as they won game one 2-0, before dropping an 8-7 nail-bitter in game two. The Griffins' game one win - the 15th of the year - went down in the program history books for most wins in a single season at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level (14, 2017).
Senior first baseman
Kaya Swanek (Pittston, Pa.) pulverized her first hit of the day over the left field fence bringing in senior outfielder
Ariel Magee (North Cape May, N.J.) and junior shortstop
Alessandra Messina (Ambler, Pa.), 3-0 (1
st inning). Unfortunately, Swanek's hit was recalled because of a missed base, now giving Chestnut Hill College (15-21, 10-12 CACC) the 2-0 (1
st inning) lead. Those two runs were the only runs of the day by both teams and was enough to the secure the historic win. Junior pitcher
Kaley Wise (Hamilton, N.J.) only allowed one hit and logged six strikeouts aiding in game one victory.
In game two, the Devils' 2-0 first inning saved them from the gallant Griffin comeback from being successful. Senior catcher
Brielle Riotte's (Elizabeth, N.J) hit allowed her to reach on a fielding error that pushed senior third baseman
Lily Winn (Los Angeles, California) past home plate in the third inning, 1-2. Swanek was able to redeem herself with a homerun to left center in the fifth inning, followed by a run from Riotte off of a single from freshman first baseman
Lily Reid (Texas City, Texas) closing the gap 3-4. The University of the Sciences (5-30, 14-17) responded adding one run from a single up the middle and their own homer that brought in the three runs they needed to get to eight (3-8). Chestnut Hill College managed four runs in the sixth inning to put the them only down by one run 7-8. The Devils were silent in the final inning, giving the home team the opportunity they needed to snatch the potential win or tie. Winn was on third with two outs, but the home squad fell short and could not convert into a run, ending the contest.
Chestnut Hill College take a break from conference play on Saturday, April 20, where they take on Gwynedd Mercy University. Start time is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.