Swerdlow Breaks Career Strikeouts Record in Sweep of Misericordia, 10-1, 7-3

Click here for video of Cara Swerdlow's record-breaking shutout.

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's junior Cara Swerdlow (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) tossed a complete Game 2 by striking out seven batters to help host Susquehanna top Misericordia University, 10-1, 7-3, in a non-conference softball doubleheader at Sassafras Fields on April 9.

Susquehanna (20-4 overall) jumped out to a 7-1 lead over Misericordia (9-10 overall) in Game 1 after two innings and added three more runs in the third to eventually force the eight-run rule. SU has now won 12 straight games and is off to its best start in program history. The most wins in one Susquehanna softball season is 26. The 1998 team went 26-14.

The Crusaders scored at least one run in each of the first three innings of Game 2 to build a 4-1 advantage before plating three more runs in the fifth inning. Misericordia tried to mount a comeback in the seventh but could only score two runs.

Swerdlow entered Game 2 needing six strikeouts to tie the previous Susquehanna career record of 442 set by Kristen Hogan '01 from 1998 to 2001. Swerdlow struck out her seventh batter in the sixth inning to set the new all-time mark. She surrendered nine hits, walked three batters and gave up just two earned runs in the win.

Crusaders senior outfielder Deanna Anderson (Coal Twp., Pa./Shamokin Area) was the only player to record a multi-hit game in Game 1. Anderson went 2-for-3 in that game with three runs scored and a run batted in.

SU's sophomore outfielder Lisa Finizio (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) batted 1-for-2 in Game 1 with a walk, two runs and two RBI. Finizio also went 2-for-4 in the nightcap, scoring two more runs and driving in another. She also drew a walk in Game 2 and threw a runner out at the plate in the seventh inning.

Junior infielder Brennan Balfour (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth) had a 1-for-2 Game 1 with a triple and a walk. Balfour's triple drove in two, and she also scored once. Teammate and junior infielder Taylor Crawford (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley HS) also tripled in the first game as part of a 1-for-2 opener, bringing in two runs.

Balfour now has an impressive eight triples this season, a school single-season record once held by Steph Thompson '00 with seven in 1997.

Sophomore outfielder Sarah Dowzicky (Collegeville, Pa./Germantown Academy) scored twice in the first game and tallied one hit in three at bats.

Crusaders freshman Sarah Hoffman (Laceyville, Pa./Wyalusing Valley) started Game 1 and pitched a complete-game win in the five-inning contest. Hoffman gave up just four hits and didn't walk a batter to pick up her seventh win of the year.

In the nightcap, senior catcher Kelli Holota (Spring Lake, N.J./Livingston) walked three times and scored a run, while Balfour had a two-RBI double in four at bats.

Crawford tied a game-high with three hits (in four at bats) in Game 2, including a double and an RBI. Junior infielder/pitcher Kim Rubino (Parsippany, N.J./Parsippany) scored a run and drove in another in an 0-for-2 Game 2. Rubino also walked and was hit by a pitch for the eighth time this season.

Senior infielder Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) stole a base, walked and scored a run in the second game.

Next Games: Sunday, April 11, at Lycoming (DH) (non-conference games), 1 p.m.

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