ANNVILLE, PA - Franklin & Marshall College centerfielder Dana Johns (Sr., York, PA/Eastern York) went three-for-seven with two runs scored, but Lebanon Valley College slugged 29 hits and plated 20 runs to sweep the Diplomats 8-1 and 12-5 in a non-conference softball doubleheader at LVC Softball Park.

In game one, the Flying Dutchmen built a 5-0 lead through three innings of play as Lebanon Valley recorded an 8-1 victory.

The Dutchmen (10-2, 0-0 MAC Commonwealth Conference) jumped on the scoreboard in the second inning as designated player Crystal Nolen led off the inning with a home run down the left field line. Lebanon Valley tacked on four runs in the third as LVC strung together six singles and a fielding error to go in front 5-0.

Franklin & Marshall cut the margin to four runs in the top of the fourth inning as Bonne Crouthamel (So., Chatham, NJ/Chatham) singled to left field to lead off the inning and advanced to second and third on wild pitches. Following a lineout to rightfield and a strikeout, Kathleen Clinchy (So., Katonah, NY/Somers) doubled to left centerfield to bring in Crouthamel to pull the Diplomats to within 5-1.

Lebanon Valley added some insurance runs in the sixth as the Dutchmen brought home three runs on four hits, an error and walk to push the lead to the 8-1 final score.

At the plate, LVC third baseman Jenn Parks led the way going three-for-four with a run scored and an RBI, while Nolen was one-for-three with two runs scored and an RBI.

Jenn Roberts earned the win for Lebanon Valley allowing four hits and one run with eight strikeouts, while Crouthamel took the loss allowing eight runs on 15 hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.

In game two, Lebanon Valley slugged 14 hits to score 12 runs in a 12-5 win.

The Flying Dutchmen built an 8-0 lead through two innings of play as Lisa DiCristofaro led off the first inning with a single to the left side of the infield. Following a sacrifice bunt, Amy Batz singled through the right side of the infield to plate DiCristofaro for a 1-0 lead before LVC added seven runs on five hits and a fielding error in the second inning.

Franklin & Marshall cut the lead to 8-2 in the top of the third inning as Johns singled down the right field line and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Lauren Incorvaia (Fr., Manalapan, NJ/St. John Vianney) doubled down the leftfield line to score Johns and Clinchy singled through the right side of the infield to put runners on the corners with one out. The Diplomats scored their second run on a double steal as Clinchy swiped second and Incorvaia raced home.

The lead shrank to 8-5 in the top of the fourth as the Diplomats scored three runs on two hits and an error, but LVC used four hits, including a two RBI triple by DiCristofaro, to bring in four runs and set the lead at 12-5.

With the sun setting to the west, the Diplomats were unable to tie the game leaving two runners on base in the top of the fifth before the game was shortened and called for darkness.

Alisa Albers earned the win for Lebanon Valley going five innings with five runs allowed on nine hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Ali Tyler (So., Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) took the loss for the Diplomats going four innings with 12 runs allowed on 14 hits and two walks.

The losses drop F&M to 23-14 all-time against the Flying Dutchmen as Lebanon Valley has now won four straight over the Diplomats.

Franklin & Marshall (2-10, 0-0 Centennial Conference) will continue the season on March 26 at Catholic University of America in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.