CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Franklin & Marshall softball team dropped a pair of hard-fought one run battles at Washington College on Tuesday afternoon. The Diplomats got a tremendous performance from first-year pitcher Ainsley McClure during the opening game and saw the Shorewomen push across a run in the bottom of the seventh to claim a 3-2 game two victory.

Washington College 1, Franklin & Marshall 0 (Game 1)

After matching her career high in strikeouts on Saturday during the team's win against McDaniel, McClure continued to deal on Tuesday as she allowed just one earned run over her complete game effort while striking out four and scattering four hits. Unfortunately for the Diplomats' ace, the only inning in which the Shorewomen got two hits during the same frame eventually led to the game's only run.

Franklin & Marshall had runners on base during six of the seven innings, but was unable to push across a run of its own. The Diplomats saw runners reach third before WAC escaped jams during the first and third innings. F&M later put two runners on base during each of its last two times up to bat. Devon Witt reached to start the sixth by reaching and stole second before Kat Gunther walked to put two aboard. WAC worked out of that danger with a strikeout to avoid any damage. In the Diplomats' last chance, Megan Wiarda walked and Riley Williams singled to put two on with just one out. Nevertheless, the Shorewomen retired the next two batters to escape with the game one victory.

Washington College 3, Franklin & Marshall 2 (Game 2)

Following the first game shutout, the Diplomats jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning of game two. With one out, Claire Sullivan tripled and Hillary Murse walked to put runners on the corners. The Shorewomen were able to hold Sullivan at third during the ensuing at-bat, but a two-run two-out double from Devon Witt opened the scoring.

Washington College scored one run during both the third and fourth innings to tie the game, but neither offense could do much damage after that frame until the bottom of the seventh. Aliza Sheflin got the start in game two and went 5.1 innings while scattering five hits as just those two runs scored off of her.

Franklin & Marshall loaded the bases during the fifth inning, but was unable to come up with a third run as the Shorewomen staff issued two free passes that frame. Murse singled during the sixth and moved into scoring position on another walk worked by Witt, but again WAC continued to side step any trouble. During the bottom of the seventh, the Shorewomen put the Diplomats in an early predicament with a single and double to put two in scoring position with nobody out. McClure - who came came on to pitch just one inning prior - retired the next batter on a grounder to second. She also induced a ground ball to second in the next at-bat, but the Diplomats were unable to keep the game-winning run from scoring on that ball in the middle of the diamond.

Up next

Softball has a busy week with six road contests starting today and continuing through Saturday. The schedule continues with a trip to Cabrini for a non-conference doubleheader this Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Radnor.