CLERMONT, Fla. – The Franklin & Marshall softball team opened its first day in Florida with a split as the Diplomats thrashed Oswego, 13-1, but fell to Hamilton, 7-5.

Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 13, Oswego 1 (5 inn.)

The offense continued to roll early for the Diplomats as they scored double digit runs for the fourth consecutive game, ending the contest in a mercy-rule shortened five-inning affair.

Franklin & Marshall got the offense going with three runs in the bottom of the first. Jamie Belfer led off with a bunt single and promptly stole second base. She came around to score on an RBI into left centerfield from Sam Martin. Alexa Klepper followed that up with an RBI single before Abi Buell's double into centerfield made it 3-0 early.

Francesca Testa got things started during the second inning with a leadoff triple to left field. Martin's second double of the contest also resulted in her second RBI. With Peightyn Schwartz cruising in the circle, F&M continued to add on as Buell drew a walk. Zoie Pearce came in to run for her and eventually scored on a wild pitch. F&M made it 6-0 after just three innings, with Testa's RBI single allowing Claire Sullivan to score after she singled and moved into scoring position on the aforementioned wild pitch.

The Diplomats put the run-rule into effect with seven more runs in their final time up to bat. F&M certainly capitalized on three Oswego errors as Belfer and Buell started the frame with the only two hits of the inning. At the conclusion of the game, 11 different Diplomats had crossed home plate with a run, while Martin and Buell each had a pair of RBI. Belfer, Martin, Buell, and Testa each finished the contest with multiple hits.

Schwartz picked up the complete game victory in the circle as she did not allow a run until the top of the fifth inning, which came on a sacrifice fly. She scattered three hits and struck out seven during her complete game effort, running her season record to 3-1 in the process.

Game 2: Hamilton 7, Franklin & Marshall 5

The Franklin & Marshall offense continued to click during the second game, scoring five runs over the first three innings. A pair of sacrifices from Klepper and Buell scored a pair of runs during the first inning after Belfer started the game with a walk and Martin reached on an error. Testa homered during the second inning, while RBI from Klepper and Kate Clement continued to move the offense during the third inning.

Nevertheless, Hamilton kept up with that early offensive onslaught as it pounded out six hits and scored five runs during the bottom of the first inning. The Diplomats would eventually rally to tie the contest following their runs in the second and third innings. F&M appeared to be having no problems with the bottom of the third as they retired the first two batters, but a single, walk, and two-run double all came with those two outs for what proved to be the game-winning runs.

The Diplomats certrainly threatened throughout the remainder of the contest as they loaded the bases in the fifth inning and combined to put three more runners on during the sixth and seventh innings. Despite each side finishing with 10 hits, it was Hamilton that came up with the crucial knocks in the 7-5 final score.

Up Next:

F&M is back in action on Monday with games against St. Lawrence (2:45 p.m.) and Salem State (5 p.m.). The Diplomats will also see both of these teams for a second time during the end of their week-long stay in Florida.