Tucson, Ariz.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (4-6) wrapped up the Tucson Invitational Games with a 5-4 win over Viterbo (Wis.) (1-12) before falling, 10-2, to Dickinson State (N.D.) (15-8) in six innings.
Game One
After giving up a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, the Diplomats quickly reclaimed the lead with a two-run bottom of the fifth, winning 5-4 against Viterbo. Alexa Klepper's game-winning RBI single followed up on Gabby Mundy's triple that tied the game.
Other strong offensive performances came from Sophia Noriega (2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 1 SB) and Jaden Spigner (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored). In the circle, Charlotte Dwyer pitched the first 4.1 innings with four earned runs, seven hits, three walks, and a strikeout. In relief, Kayla Kilmer earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings with no earned runs, two hits, and two strikeouts.
The V-Hawks got on the board first with one run in the first inning. Following a leadoff single and bunt single, the next two batters put down sacrifice bunts, advancing the runners successfully both times to bring one run home. Dwyer got out of the inning with a strikeout.
After going down in order in the first inning, F&M tied the game in the second inning. Noriega doubled to begin the frame followed by a Spigner single to put runners on the corners. With one out, Kate DelGrippo generated an RBI groundout to second base for a 1-1 game. A popout ended the inning with the go-ahead run on third base.
Both teams got runners into scoring position in the third inning, but the score remained 1-1 heading into the fourth inning. The Diplomats put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Noriega singled then stole second base to begin the frame. From there, a Spigner double scored a run. She advanced to third on a passed ball, then Megan Wiarda hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 advantage.
Viterbo struck for three runs in the fifth inning, getting two runners into scoring position with one out following a pair of singles and stolen bases. A double to center field tied the game, and this was followed by a double to left field to give the V-Hawks a 4-3 lead. Kilmer escaped the inning with a popout and strikeout.
The lead lasted for moments, as Nora Sidorski's leadoff double in the bottom of the inning was soon followed by Mundy's triple to left center and a Klepper single to bring Mundy home. Kilmer allowed just one base runner over the next two innings, as F&M hung on for a 5-4 victory.
Game Two
The Diplomats fell to a ten-run offensive performance from Dickinson State, including a four-run third inning and three-run home run in the sixth inning to reach the run rule, in a 10-2 loss to conclude the Tucson Invitational Games.
DelGrippo had the best game offensively for F&M, hitting 2-for-3 with a double and one RBI in a game where F&M was kept to five hits.
Dickinson State scored one run in the first inning, as the leadoff hitter walked aboard, stole a base, and got to third on a passed ball before scoring on a sacrifice fly. They added four runs in the third inning via four hits and a pair of walks.
After being held hitless through three frames, the Diplomats got on the board in the fourth inning with two runs. Noriega walked and Spigner singled with one out. This was followed by a DelGrippo single to score one run, while a Hillary Murse walk loaded the bases. Grace Header walked a run home, but a pickoff and strikeout swiftly ended the inning with F&M behind 5-2.
Following a two-out single, Dickinson State added two more runs with back-to-back doubles to lead 7-2. They then reached the run rule in the sixth inning, as two singles to begin the frame were followed by a three-run homer to end the game.
Franklin & Marshall ends the Tucson Invitational games with a 4-6 record.
The Diplomats are back in action on Thursday, March 20, at 3:00 p.m. for two games at Penn State Brandywine.
