LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall softball team celebrated its Senior Day during a Centennial Conference doubleheader with Muhlenberg on Saturday afternoon. The Mules came away with the sweep, securing an 11-1 victory during game one before an electric 5-2 battle that lasted 11 innings and included a lightning delay in game two.

Game 1: Muhlenberg 11, Franklin & Marshall 1 (6 inn.)

The Mules scored multiple runs during four of their six innings up to bat during the opener. Muhlenberg pounded out 15 hits over that contest as shutdown pitching from the Mules kept the Franklin & Marshall offense at bay.

F&M did take advantage of its early opportunity as Jaden Spigner and Francesca Testa both drew walks to put the first two runners on base to start the second inning. Brenda Garcia delivered the clutch single down the right field line to cut the deficit to just 2-1 after a pair of innings.

Nevertheless, Muhlenberg scored three runs during the third, fifth, and sixth innings to pull away. That offense included a three-run home run that cleared the left field fence during the top of the sixth.

Game 2: Muhlenberg 5, Franklin & Marshall 2

The second game was a pitcher's duel between Charlotte Dwyer and Cora Bridgers. Muhlenberg was able to strike first with a home run from Gillian Zack during the top of the first, but Dwyer would hold the Mules' offense off the board all the way until the 11th inning.

After that home run, Muhlenberg did not get another hit until the fifth inning. When the visitors did get runners on base, F&M turned three double plays to help get out of jams. Unfortunately, the Muhlenberg pitching was also up to the task, but the Diplomats were able to score when they needed it most. Trailing 1-0 heading to the bottom of the seventh, Jamie Belfer singled and advanced to second on a single from Kayla Kilmer. Abi Buell came through with the clutch two-out RBI double on her Senior Day to send the game into extra innings.

The aforementioned double plays helped the Diplomats get out of the eighth and ninth innings, including a huge throw from Devon Witt in the ninth to prevent a runner tagging from third from scoring the potential go-ahead run. The Mules used a double play of their own during the 10th to fight for another inning.

Zack once again provided the offense for the Mules during the 11th inning as her two-run home run gave the visitors their first runs in 10 innings. After a lightning delay in the area, the game resumed with the Mules adding two more runs as F&M went to the bullpen following the extended break. The Diplomats scored a run on an error in the bottom of the 11th and brought the game-tying run to the plate, only to see Bridgers go the distance as she scattered eight hits over 11 innings of work, striking out 12 batters.

Dwyer pitched 10.1 innings before being removed when the game was resumed after the delay. She also allowed just eight hits and struck out seven during her extended stay in the circle. Dwyer finished her day with 143 pitches, throwing 90 strikes. Bridgers threw 132 pitches for the Mules.

Belfer celebrated her Senior Day with a 4-for-5 game two at the plate. Kilmer also had two hits in addition to Buell and Hanna Maier getting base hits.

Up Next:

After celebrating the careers of Jamie Belfer, Shannon Briggs, Abi Buell, Taylor Hudson, Caitlyn Erdman, and Braden Renke on Saturday, the Diplomats will have a chance to send that class out on a winning note on its home field this coming Tuesday when the team hosts Washington College. That doubleheader will get underway at 3 p.m. and marks the final home games of the regular season before the team wraps up the regular season with trips to Haverford and Dickinson.