LANCASTER, Pa. – Starting pitcher Kaitlin Zampino dominated behind solid defense in game one as the Franklin & Marshall softball team held on for a 3-1 win over Haverford on Saturday afternoon in Centennial Conference (CC) action.  In game two of the doubleheader, the Fords (18-10, 5-5 CC) outlasted the Diplomats (12-16, 4-6) 5-4.

F&M took an early 1-0 advantage in the opening game when Malorie Sassaman tripled to lead off and was sent across the plate with a Nicole Casey single through the left side of the infield.

The score held until the bottom of the fourth, when the Diplomats tacked on another run to extend their lead to 2-0. With no outs and Sam DeNoville on third base, a misplay by the Haverford infield off the bat of Julianne Whitleigh scored the junior infielder.

Casey added an insurance run for F&M in the next frame, singling up the middle to score Danielle Murphy from second and put the Diplomats up 3-0.

The Fords cut the score to 3-1 in the top of the seventh but were unable to pull any closer as F&M held on for the two-run victory.

Zampino (6-9) was solid all contest, registering a complete-game and allowing only one earned on three hits. The junior right hander struck out five batters and issued four walks on the afternoon.

Casey led the offense with a pair of RBIs in a 2-for-3 showing at the plate. DeNoville also registered two hits, including a double, to finish the game with a 2-for-3 line.

Sara Tauriello (7-2) was charged with loss for Haverford after going 4.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits.

In game two, Zampino showed her skill at the plate, sending a two-run homerun to left field in the bottom of the second to put the Diplomats up 2-0. The round tripper was her second of the season. The Fords answered right back in the bottom half of the frame, cutting into the deficit with one run on one hit to make the score 2-1.

After Haverford tied the contest at 2-2 in the top of the fourth, F&M responded by retaking the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the inning with a Murphy sacrifice fly to score Liz Middleton from third.

In the top of the fifth, the Fords once again jumped back out in front with a two-run home run to left field off the bat of Dayle Comerford to pull ahead by one at 4-3.

Ashley Hartshorn stepped into the box in the bottom of the frame with runners on second and third and doubled to left field to score Casey, knotting the contest at 4-4.

With the game tied in the top of the sixth, the Fords singled to left field, scoring a runner from third and taking the lead for good at 5-4.

Justine Lohrey (6-7) entered in relief during the fifth inning and was charged with the loss after giving up one earned off two hits in 2.1 frames. Emily Winsett (7-6) was awarded the win for Haverford after allowing four earned and striking out five in six innings of work.

Zampino started the game, pitching 4.2 innings and giving up two earned on five hits. At the plate, she went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.

DeNoville also recorded a pair of hits in a 2-for-4 effort on the afternoon.

The Diplomats return to action on Tuesday when F&M hits the road to take on Gettysburg in CC action. Game one of the doubleheader is slated for a 3:00 p.m. start.