WASHINGTON - The 2022 Gallaudet University softball season got underway here Sunday afternoon at the GU Softball Complex as the Bison took to the field for the first time since March 8, 2020. GU started the 2020 season 5-0 before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the rest of the season and the entire 2021 season. It was a festive and exciting day for GU softball to return and play for the first time in nearly two years (728 days). 

Gallaudet welcomed Franklin & Marshall College for a non-conference doubleheader. The visiting Diplomats (6-2) swept Gallaudet (0-2), 10-1 in six innings and 11-1 in five innings on Sunday.

The Bison were originally slated to begin the 2022 season against Trinity Washington a day earlier but they canceled their season and that doubleheader got wiped out. 

Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 10, Gallaudet 1 (F/6)
Franklin & Marshall wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as it plated three runs in the first and four in the second inning before the Bison scored their first run of the 2022 season. Freshman Jade Dawson (Clearlake Oaks, Calif.) singled and later moved up on a walk issued to freshman Esther Biser (Concord, Calif.). Dawson stole third base to put runners at the corner for freshman Elaine Swecker (San Diego, Calif.), who singled to right field to plate Dawson. 

The Diplomats added a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to activate the eight-run mercy rule. 

Swecker finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate with one RBI while Dawson posted a 1-for-2 line with one run scored.

Sophomore Emma Giuntoli (Austin, Texas) threw a complete game and allowed 10 runs (seven earned) on nine hits, seven walks and three strikeouts.

Franklin & Marshall starting pitcher Peightyn Schwartz (2-1) picked up the complete game win with one earned run on three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts.

Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 11, Gallaudet 1 (F/5)
In the second game, Franklin & Marshall picked up where it left off and scored twice in the first inning and five times in the second. The Diplomats scored one run or more in all five innings played. GU got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning with one run to cut the F&M lead to eight, 9-1. 

Freshman Caitlyn Smith (Indianapolis, Ind.) singled up the middle and moved around the bases due to a passed ball, a Bison ground out and scored on a wild pitch made by starting pitcher Kayla Kilmer (3-0). 

Four different Bison had singles in the loss. 

Swecker started the game in the circle and took loss as she allowed seven runs (two earned) on two hits and five walks in 1.2 innings pitched. Freshman Anya Pothorski (Indianapolis, Ind.) came in to relieve Swecker and threw 3.1 innings of relief. Pothorski allowed four runs on five hits, three walks and one strikeout.

Kilmer surrendered one run on four hits, no walks and struck out nine. 

BISON TRACKS

• Gallaudet Athletic Director Warren Keller threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the game
• Gallaudet's softball team hosted Franklin & Marshall's team earlier in the morning to discuss Deaf Culture and American Sign Language. Bison players shared their experiences playing against hearing teams. The GU players also shared ASL signs used for softball terminology. 

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will next play host to Washington Adventist University on Thursday, March 10, at 1 p.m. for a non-conference doubleheader.