SWARTHMORE, Pa. - In its 2024 season finale, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team was swept by Swarthmore on the road. Both games ended in walk off wins for the Garnet.

Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 6, Swarthmore 7

After the Diplomats took a late lead in the top of the sixth, the Garnet pushed the game to extra innings before winning in walk off fashion in the bottom of the eighth. F&M opened the contest with a three-run top of the first, highlighted by a two-run Sophia Noriega double and a Kaitlin Herrick RBI single. Swarthmore answered right back in the bottom of the frame, however, first loading the bases with nobody out prior to a hit batter and a two-run double. Later in the inning, a bases loaded walk gave the Garnet a 4-3 edge.

Following three straight scoreless stanzas, Alexa Klepper scored on an error in the top of the fifth to tie the game. In the very next frame, Jaden Spigner led off the inning with a double and came home two at-bats later to put the Diplomats back on top, 6-5.

With Swarthmore down to its final out in the bottom of the seventh and the game-tying run on third, a single into left field evened the score and sent the tilt into extras. Though Kate Clement did score the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth, a two-out error in the bottom of the inning allowed a pair of runners come home for the Garnet, which ended the game.

Despite the loss, Charlotte Dwyer (2-7) struck out 10 batters, marking just the third time in her career of recording double-digit strikeouts. 

Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 6, Swarthmore 7

In another closely contested battle, F&M tied the game in its final time up to bat but allowed the game-winning run to score in the bottom of the seventh. Through the tilt's first six innings, the Diplomats were held hitless while Swarthmore took a 2-0 advantage. 

With one out in the top of the seventh, Maddy Yeingst laced a single into left center field before Noriega drew a walk to put runners on first and second. In the ensuing at-bat, Madison Martin grounded into a fielder's choice, which advanced Yeingst to third but led to a force out at second. Then, a successful double steal attempt allowed Yeingst to come home and cut the deficit in half. The rally continued with a Claire Sullivan RBI single, which tied the game. 

After Garnet put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the seventh, a RBI single brought home the game-winning run. 

Dwyer (2-8) was hit with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run to score in the final inning. 

F&M concludes its 2024 season having won more than double its win total from the previous year. It also won its most conference games since 2021.