Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall softball team (4-10, 0-2 CC) dropped both games of its Centennial Conference (CC) opener at Muhlenberg (10-8, 2-0 CC) Sunday afternoon. The Mules downed the Diplomats, 16-7, in game one before winning game two, 4-0.
Game 1: Muhlenberg 16, Franklin & Marshall 7 (5 Innings)
An eight-run first inning allowed Muhlenberg to hold a comfortable lead early in the contest. F&M chipped away at the deficit, but seven runs in the bottom of the fifth gave the Mules a run-rule victory.
Trailing 9-0 in the top of the third, Alexa Klepper singled to lead off the inning. After Francesca Testa was hit by a pitch, Devon Witt legged out an infield single to load the bases. Jensen Macaulay roped a single into right field to get the Diplomats on the scoreboard as Klepper crossed the plate. The next batter, Claire Sullivan, grounded out to second base to plate Testa. Kat Gunther followed with a double through the left side of the infield to score two runs and cut the Muhlenberg lead to 9-4.
In the top of the fifth, Sami LaRosa ripped a pinch-hit single to lead off the frame. LaRosa advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Sullivan and later moved to third on a single from Kaitlin Herrick. Mia Lanter and Riley Williams drew back-to-back walks, scoring LaRosa to cut the Mules' lead to 9-5. Klepper followed with a two-RBI single to get the Diplomats within two.
Klepper led F&M with two hits in the contest. Gunther and Klepper finished the game with a team-high two RBI each.
Aliza Sheflin was the losing pitcher in game one, striking out one and allowing two earned runs.
Game 2: Muhlenberg 4, Franklin & Marshall 0
Muhlenberg scored two runs in both the first inning and fifth inning, while shutting out the Diplomats to complete the sweep.
Game two was a pitcher's duel for entirety of the contest as both teams allowed a combined eight hits in the game. LaRosa, Megan Wiarda, and Kate Clement tallied the only hits for F&M in the contest, with LaRosa stealing a base after her single in the third inning.
Sheflin (2-5) was hit with the loss in the circle. The sophomore tied her career-high for strikeouts with eight in six innings of work.
Franklin & Marshall prepares for its home opener at Baker Campus on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. when it welcomes Ursinus.
