LANCASTER, PA - Shortstop Laura DePalma (Sr., Toms River, NJ/Toms River) launched a 2-2 pitch from Muhlenberg pitcher Kristiana Cartolano over the fence for a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 3-1 win as the Franklin & Marshall College softball split a doubleheader versus Muhlenberg College at Baker Campus.

In game one, Muhlenberg pitcher Nicole Washburn allowed three hits and did not permit a runner past second base in a 7-0 victory.

The Mules jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning as Becki Toth singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Olson and came into score on an RBI double by Cartolano for a 1-0 lead off starting pitcher Ali Tyler (Fr., Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood).

Franklin & Marshall had a chance to tie the game as Bonnie Crouthamel (Fr., Chatham, NJ/Chatham) doubled with one out in the first inning, but Washburn recorded pop-ups to third base and shortstop to get out of the inning.

Muhlenberg added to the lead in the third inning as Toth singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Olson. Cartolano then reached base on an error that allowed Toth to score. Missy DeFrain singled and Lindsay Ruhling grounded into a fielder's choice to drive in Cartolano. Tara DeMarco singled to put runners on the corners. A fielding error in the outfield allowed DeFrain to score for a 4-0 Muhlenberg lead.

The Mules added three runs in the sixth as DeFrain doubled to drive in Toth and Olson before DeMarco singled to knock in DeFrain for the 7-0 final score.

In game two, Muhlenberg and F&M traded runs in the second inning for the only scores until DePalma's extra inning blast.

For Muhlenberg, DeFrain doubled and scored on an RBI double by Tina Roth, while F&M's run came as Morgan Marks (So., Furlong, PA/Central Bucks East) reached on a fielding error by the Toth at shortstop and came into score on a fielding error by Cartolano on a grounder by Jonelle Coletta (Sr., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ/Point Pleasant Beach).

Neither team would score until the eighth as Crouthamel singled and came into score as DePalma took the fifth offering from Cartolano over the fence for a 3-1 victory.

Overall, Crouthamel went eight innings allowing eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts to earn the win, while Cartolano allowed five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in the loss.

Franklin & Marshall (3-15, 1-3 Centennial Conference) will continue the season on April 10 at Washington College in a Centennial Conference doubleheader. Game one is set to start at 1:00 p.m.