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Gwynedd Mercy 8, Keystone 5

BOX SCORE Game 1

Gwynedd Mercy 3, Keystone 1

BOX SCORE Game 2


GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- The Gwynedd Mercy Softball Team swept a CSAC Twinbill over visiting Keystone, winning game one, 8-5, and the second, 3-1.

In game one, a six-run fifth broke open a 2-2 tie while game two saw the Griffins score three runs in the fourth on just two hits.

Senior Jennifer Whalen (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) went the distance in the first game, giving up five runs on five hits, with six walks and six strikeouts. She would allow two runs in the first as a two-out, two-run triple gave the Giants an early 2-0 lead.

Gwynedd would leave two runners on in each of the first, second, and fourth innings, but would come up empty at the dish. The team would break through in the fifth, getting their first three batters on to load the bases. Freshman Amanda Hesson (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy) would draw a walk to force in a run followed by back-to-back RBI singles from senior Ashley Zavatsky (Philadelphia, Pa./Little Flower) and freshman Tara Matteo (Springfield, Pa./Springfield). After Hesson scored from third on a wild pitch, rookie Jessica Behr (Philadlephia, Pa./MaST Charter) would drive home Zavatsky and Matteo with a single to center and an 8-2 lead.

The Giants would plate three in the top half of the seventh, starting off the frame by loading the bases. A fielder's choice would score one run before another two-out two-run double off the bat of Emily Long made it a three-run game. Whalen was able to induce a groundout to end game one.

Whalen, Zavatsky and senior MaryKate Ballerino (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) each had two hits apiece. Ballerino and senior Megan Kelly (Ivyland, Pa./Little Flower) each scored twice.

In game two, the Giants took a 1-0 lead in the second on a sac fly to right. The Griffins would take advantage of an error with the bases loaded in the fourth to help score their three runs. With Zavatsky at the plate and sacks full, she would lay down a bunt to third base where thirdbaseman Lindsay Bucklaw's pick up and throw to home plate soared high and out of play allowing two runs to score. Matteo would later add a sac fly to score Hesson for a 3-1 lead.

Gwynedd looked prime to add more in the fifth as sophomore Nikki Canfield (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) and Ballerino worked two-out walks to help load the bases once again, but a grounder to second prevented and runs from crossing home.

In the seventh, after a leadoff single and then an error to put runners at the corners with no outs, Whalen came back on the mound in relief of starter Michele Arechavala (Mt. Ephraim, N.J./Audubon). She would get a key baserunning gaffe from the Giants to help get out of the jam. A fly ball to center was tracked down by Canfield for the first out, with the runner at third appearing to tag and score easily. After an appeal, the runner was declared she left the bag early and was called out. Now with a runner on first and two outs, Whalen picked up the save, ending the game on a grounder to second.

Arechavala scattered eight hits through six-plus innings with no walks. Whalen threw just three pitches to earn her first career save.

Gwynedd Mercy will welcome Notre Dame of Maryland here on Wednesday in a rescheduled affair starting at 3 p.m.