LANCASTER, Pa. - Opening Centennial Conference play at home against Muhlenberg, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mules.
Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 5, Muhlenberg 7
Despite a late rally, the Diplomats were unable to complete the comeback, falling 7-5 in the day's opening game. F&M got off to a strong start in the bottom of the first, as
Natalia Garza lined a lead off double to left field before coming home on an
Alexa Klepper RBI single.
Two innings later, a two-out triple followed by a single allowed Muhlenberg to tie the game. The next four batters then each recorded a base hit which led to three more runs coming home, as the Mules jumped ahead 4-1. The very next frame, a lead off single and passed ball put a runner in scoring position for Muhlenberg with one out. Two at-bats later, the run scored on a RBI single.
In the bottom of the fifth, F&M began to chip away at the deficit, as each of the inning's first three hitters tallied base hits, with
Megan Wiarda scoring after getting the stanza started with a double. Later in the frame, the Diplomats loaded the bases to bring
Madison Martin to the plate, who walked to knock in another run and make it 5-3.
Gabby Mundy then struck out, however, which left the bases loaded and ended the inning.
Highlighted by a pair of extra-base hits, the Mules put two more runs on the board in the top of the sixth, giving them a 7-3 advantage. In the bottom half of the inning,
Kate Clement walked before stealing both second and third base, and was followed by a
Claire Sullivan walk and stolen base. Klepper knocked in both runners with a two-run single to right field, bringing the tying run to the plate. After
Kaitlin Herrick singled as well,
Jaden Spigner struck out to end the inning.
Continuing to fight back, F&M put runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but
Natalia Garza flew out to bring the game to a close.
Charlotte Dwyer (2-2) took the loss after giving up three earned runs across 2.2 innings in the start. Klepper batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 0, Muhlenbeg 2
In a pitcher's duel, The Mules blanked the Diplomats 2-0 to sweep the doubleheader. F&M's best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the second, as it loaded the bases to bring Sullivan to the plate. However, the junior grounded a ball to third, leading to an inning-ending force out. For the remainder of the game, the Diplomats put just one more runner in scoring position.
Muhlenberg finally broke the seal in the top of the sixth, as a double with a runner on third knocked in the first of the game. The Mules then added an insurance run in the top of the seventh with another RBI double.
In the loss,
Ainsley McClure (4-5) tossed her sixth complete game of the season and allowed six hits.
Continuing conference play, F&M will travel to Ursinus on Tuesday for a doubleheader set to begin at 3 p.m.
