YORK, Pa. - Held to to just two runs combined in Tuesday's doubleheader, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team dropped a pair of matchups to York on the road.
Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 2, York 4
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the first, the Spartans broke the ice with a sacrifice fly before a RBI double in the next at-bat extended the lead to 2-0. Two innings later, York put runners on first and second with two outs, leading to a RBI single which made it 3-0.
In the top of the fourth,
Alexa Klepper got the frame started with a single and later advanced to second on a
Sophia Noriega base hit. With
Kayla Kilmer at the plate, a wild pitch allowed both runners to move up two bases, with Klepper scoring from second. Unable to continue the momentum, however, the inning ended with Noriega stranded in scoring position.
The Spartans then grew their lead back to three in the bottom of the fifth following a lead off solo home run.
Down to its final three outs, F&M saw its first three batters of the top of the seventh get on base safely, including
Hannah Matusiak, who knocked in a run with a RBI single. With
Jaden Spigner pinch running for Matusiak, both runners advanced one base after
Alexa Klepper fouled out two at-bats later.
Maddy Yeingst then lined out to end the tilt, leaving the game-tying run on base.
Ainsley McClure (3-4) suffered the loss after allowing four earned runs and striking out five batters in six innings of work.
Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 0, York 5
A game in which the Diplomats left four runners in scoring position, F&M was shutout 5-0 by the Spartans. All five of York's runs came in the first two innings, as it got the bottom of the first started with back-to-back doubles followed by back-to-back singles to make it 2-0. The next two batters then walked, leading to a third run coming in, still without an out recorded. After a strikeout in the next at-bat, a fielder's choice and an error allowed a fourth run to score moments later.
In the bottom of the second, the Spartans hit another pair of doubles to make it 5-0.
The Diplomats' best scoring opportunity of the game came in the top of the third, as they had runners on first and second with just one out. However,
Alexa Klepper lined into a double play to end the inning.
Aliza Sheflin (3-2) took the loss after allowing four earned runs in the start.
In a quick turnaround, F&M will return to action on Thursday, welcoming Delaware Valley to Baker Campus Field for a doubleheader scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
