LEBANON VALLEY, Pa. - In a road non-conference doubleheader, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team was swept by Lebanon Valley. The Diplomats dropped a 5-1 decision in game one prior to a 8-4 loss in game two.
Game 1: Franklin & Marshall 1, Lebanon Valley 5
Held hitless through the first four innings, F&M was unable to generate momentum at the plate in its 5-1 loss. The Dutchmen struck in the bottom of the first, as a double steal attempt with runners on first and third was successful.
Two innings later, LVC's first three hitters of the inning all reached base safely, including a RBI double which made it 2-0. Later the inning, the Dutchmen recorded back-to-back RBI singles to extend their lead to 4-0.
In the top of the fifth,
Kaitlin Herrick broke up the no-hitter with a lead-off single before coming all the way around to score to put the Diplomats on the board. However, in the bottom half of the inning, a solo home run pushed LVC's advantage back up to four.
Recording just two more hits for the remainder of the game, F&M fell 5-1. In the start,
Ainsley McClure (4-6) allowed five earned runs and struck out four batters across five innings.
Game 2: Franklin & Marshall 4, Lebanon Valley 8
Though the Diplomats erased a 4-0 deficit in the fourth inning, F&M was unable to complete the comeback, losing 8-4. In the bottom of the third, the Dutchmen loaded the bases with nobody out, leading to the first run of the game scoring on a fielder's choice. With the bases once again loaded three at-bats later, a bases clearing triple put LVC up 4-0.
The Diplomats responded immediately in the top of the fourth, as Herrick got the rally starter with a one-out single and was followed by three consecutive base hits, which allowed a pair of runs to score. Then, with two outs and runners on second and third,
Maddy Yeingst laced a single up the middle to knock in two more runs and tie the game.
The Dutchmen put together a four-run inning of their own in the bottom of the sixth, first getting a runner in scoring position with two outs before the next four batters all reached base safely, which led to four runs coming home.
With F&M going down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, LVC completed the doubleheader sweep with an 8-4 win.
Kayla Kilmer (1-2) took the loss after allowing three earned runs in 5.2 innings of work.
The Diplomats will return to action tomorrow, as they welcome Dickinson to Baker Campus Fields for a doubleheader set to begin at 3 p.m.
