TUSCSON, Ariz. – The Franklin & Marshall softball team wrapped up its week in Arizona with a 10-2 run-rule victory against Salve Regina to cap five wins that the Diplomats registered while on Spring Break. The 10 runs represented the most for F&M throughout their 12 games during the week.
Texas-Dallas 4, Franklin & Marshall 0
During the Diplomats' first game on Thursday, the Comets scored during just the first and seventh innings but that was enough behind a strong pitching performance from McKenzie Cutbirth who scattered just four hits over her complete game effort. Texas-Dallas' four runs came on just two plays, with the first being a two-run double during the top of the first after a single and double put a pair of runners in scoring position. UTD added to its lead in the seventh as a leadoff walk came around to score on a triple that also scored on F&M's only error of the game.
Franklin & Marshall put runners on base during each of its chances up to bat, but the best scoring chance came when the Diplomats loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh. The attempted rally started with two outs as Megan Wiarda singled into centerfield before walks from Natalia Garza and Jaden Spigner loaded the bases. UTD eventually worked out of that jam to solidify the 4-0 win.
Kayla Kilmer handled much of the pitching in relief as she went 5.2 innings and struck out four during her time in the circle. Aliza Sheflin got the start in Thursday's first game before Ainsley McClure recorded the final out in the seventh to strand the bases loaded.
Franklin & Marshall 10, Salve Regina 2 (5 innings)
The Diplomats wasted no time getting the offense going during their final game of the week as they scored in four of their five innings at the plate. That included multiple runs during the first, second, and fifth frames. A single from Garza and bunt from Spigner put two runners on for F&M to start the game. Kilmer's clutch two-out double brought home both of those runners and gave the Diplomats the early 2-0 lead.
Franklin & Marshall added four more runs with two outs during the second inning. Claire Sullivan started that rally with a single before another Salve Regina error and single from Spigner kept the inning alive. Nora Sidorski continued to put pressure on the Seahawks defense as her single to short was misplayed and allowed three runs to score before she scored on Klepper's RBI single. The Diplomats added one more in the third as Kate Clement came on as pinch runner and stole second before coming around to score on an RBI single from Gabby Mundy. Mundy would eventually score on a groundout to make the score 7-0 after three innings.
All of this offense was more than enough support for McClure who did not allow an earned run during her five innings of work in which she conceded just five hits to pick up her third win of the season. The Diplomats put the run-rule in effect during the fifth inning after scoring three more runs. A two-run double from Sullivan did the most damage before Sidorski draw a bases loaded walk to force home the 10th run of the afternoon. The Seahawks got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth, but the Diplomats were still ahead by eight, 10-2, after five innings of play. Garza, Spigner, Mundy, and Sullivan each finished with two hits and two runs to lead the offense during the Diplomats' final contest in Florida.
With Franklin & Marshall now set to return back to Pennsylvania, the Diplomats open their home schedule with a doubleheader against Cabrini on Thursday, March 21. First pitch of those two games is set for 3 p.m. at Baker Campus.
