LANCASTER, Pa. - Hosting Delaware Valley for a doubleheader at Baker Campus Fields, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team swept the Aggies to improve to 8-10 on the season. The Diplomats have now matched last year's win total, still with 22 games left to play. 

Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 5, Delaware Valley 4

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Diplomats walked off the Aggies to win game one. Two batters into the bottom of the first, F&M put the first run on the board after Claire Sullivan knocked in Natalia Garza with a RBI single. 

In the top of the fourth, Delaware Valley loaded the bases with two outs before walking in a run and scoring another on a wild pitch to take the lead. The Diplomats then made a switch to Kayla Kilmer, who got out of the jam with a strikeout. 

With one out and a runner on second in the top of the seventh, the Aggies scored an insurance run on an error, taking a 3-1 lead heading into the final half inning. Down to its last out of the game, F&M had runners on first and second with Claire Sullivan at the plate, after which the junior drilled a fly ball which was dropped by the right fielder, allowing a pair of runs to score and even the game.

Heading into extra innings, Delaware Valley was able to take advantage of its runner on second to begin the top of the eighth, going ahead 4-3 on a RBI single. Alexa Klepper began the bottom of the eighth on second and came home on an error by the second baseman to tie the game again. Madison Martin then blasted a solo home run to left field, completing the comeback for the Diplomats.

Kilmer (1-1) recorded the win after tossing 4.1 innings in relief and striking out three batters. Garza batted 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored in the contest.

Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 4, Delaware Valley 0

Behind seven scoreless innings from Ainsley McClure, F&M shutout the Aggies 4-0 in game two. With the game tied 0-0 through four-and-a-half frame, Klepper broke the seal in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run double, bringing home Sullivan and Garza. 

In the very next inning, Kate Clement singled to lead off the stanza before stealing both second and third base. After Hannah Matusiak struck out, the Delaware Valley catcher dropped the pitch and fired a throw above the first baseman's head, allowing Clement to score and Matusiak to reach second. The latter scored one at-bat later on a RBI single by Megan Wiarda, increasing the advantage to 4-0. 

The Aggies threatened briefly in the top of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out, but a ground ball to Maddy Yeingst led to game-ending 4-6-3 double play. 

In the complete game effort, McCure (4-4) allowed just five hits and struck out six batters. Sullivan was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with one run scored. 

F&M will next welcome Muhlenberg to Lancaster for a Centennial Conference doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday.