ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall used a pair of threes to take down Muhlenberg twice on the road in Centennial Conference (CC) action - a three-hit shutout by Sabrina Ryan in Game 1, followed by a bases clearing three-bagger by Jamie Belfer in Game 2. With the pair of victories, the Diplomats improved to 3-1, 3-1 CC, while the Mules dropped to 0-6, 0-2 CC.

Game 1: F&M 1, Muhlenberg 0

Jamie Belfer got things started in the top of the first by dropping a bunt single, stealing second, then stealing third in a double-steal tandem with Sam Martin. After Hannah Salvucci reached after being plunked, Ella Glenn worked a bases-loaded walk to plate the only run of the game for the Diplomats.

Belfer notched three of F&M's hits, going 3-for-4 on the day. Abi Buell had the only other Diplomat hit - a single back up the middle to open the second inning.

The Diplomats got an impressive complete-game shutout from Sabrina Ryan (1-1), who scattered three hits across seven innings of work. The shutout is the fifth in Ryan's career, which moved her up to a tie for fourth in Diplomat history with Katie Wenger '18. She sits one shutout shy of a three-way tie for second.

Game 2: F&M 5, Muhlenberg 3

It was a busy first inning for both sides. F&M struck first in the top half of the inning. Sam Martin got herself into scoring position with a one-out single to left, then stealing second. Jill Holoboski promptly plated Martin for a 1-0 lead. Holoboski advanced to second on a fielders choice, allowing Abi Buell to score her on an RBI single to center for a 2-0 lead. The Mules stole one back in the bottom half for a 2-1 F&M margin.

The Mules got busy in the fourth inning, knocking in two off a two-out, two-RBI single to snare a 3-2 lead.

F&M finished the job in the top of the sixth. A Frankie Testa infield single and Peightyn Schwartz single to right put two on with one out. After a ground out pushed the two runners up a base, Jamie Belfer cleared the bases with a triple to center for a 4-3 lead. Sam Martin's double to left scored Belfer and added an important insurance run.

Schwartz shut the door on the Mules, retiring the next six batters in order to preserve the victory.

Sam Martin and Abi Buell both turned in 2-for-4 performances, while Jamie Belfer's triple knocked in two runs - including the game winner.

Peightyn Schwartz (1-0) picked up her second career victory, allowing seven hits and three runs in seven innings of work.

Next Up:

The Diplomats stay on the road, facing McDaniel next Saturday with a CC doubleheader scheduled for 1:00pm and 3:00pm.