TUCSON, Ariz. The Franklin & Marshall softball team (0-2) loss its opening day contests at the Tucson Invitational Games, falling to Dakota Wesleyan (17-4), 6-3, before being defeated by Concordia University (Neb.) (10-6), 9-7 on Sunday.

Game One

Ainsley McClure delivered a strong relief performance to keep the Diplomats in touching distance after falling behind early. She went 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts, five hits, and one earned run. Alexa Klepper led the way offensively in game one, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a triple. Sophia Noriega registered a double, Jaden Spigner had a pair of singles, while Madison Martin drew two walks. 

Dakota Wesleyan kicked off game one with four runs in the first inning, making use of a wild pitch, two errors, and three hits across the frame. They added one more run with two outs in the second inning, as an outfield error brought their run total to five. Noriega registered the team's first hit in the second inning on a leadoff double, but the Tigers struck out the next three batters. One inning later, Erika Stewart got into scoring position on a two-out steal, but Dakota Wesleyan preserved their shutout through three frames.

McClure didn't allow a baserunner between the third and fifth innings, and the Diplomats scored three runs in the fifth inning to close the gap to 5-3. Spigner and Claire Sullivan kicked off the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles. Grace Header then scored one run on an infield single, while Klepper's triple cleared the bases. With the tying run at the plate and one out, the Tigers retired the next two batters. 

Dakota Wesleyan added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Their leadoff hitter singled then stole a pair of bases, eventually scoring on a two-out single to right field. The Diplomats got a pair of runners aboard with one out in the sixth inning, but Dakota Wesleyan were able to again strand runners. McClure did the same in the top of the seventh, leaving a pair of runners in scoring position and the score at 6-3. F&M was retired in order in the seventh to end the contest.

Game Two

Klepper had another strong game offensively against Concordia, hitting 3-for-4 with 1 RBI. Megan Wiara was 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI, while Natalia Garza was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and one walk. 

Garza and Gabby Mundy walked to start the game, then Klepper singled to load the bases with no outs. Concordia generated a strike, Kate DelGrippo hit a one-out sacrifice fly, then a lineout to first base minimized the damage for the Bulldogs. After DelGrippo stranded two runners on base in the first inning, things unraveled in the second inning, as Concordia made use of three Diplomats errors en route to scoring five runs for a 5-1 advantage through two frames. They added a pair of runs in the third inning, making use of a double, triple, and sacrifice bunt in the first three at-bats of the frame. 

Wiarda reduced the gap in the top of the fourth with a two-out double to left center to score Noriega. Concordia responded with a two-out hit of their own, putting the score at 8-2 heading into the fifth. The Diplomats chipped into the deficit with two runs in the fifth inning. Cate Shrader walked, Garza reached on a fielder's choice, and Mundy walked to load the bases to begin the inning. A Klepper single up the middle scored one run, but Garza was tagged out at the plate on the relay throw. A Noriega groundout brought the next runner in.

The Diplomats scored three more runs in the sixth inning, as Wiarda and Hillary Murse singled with one out. A ground out and infield single advanced them a pair of bases, scoring one run, while an infield error on the next at-bat brought two runs home. With the go-ahead run on second base and two outs, and a groundout ended the inning with F&M down 8-7.

The Bulldogs added one run in the sixth inning via a two-out double to left field. They proceeded to strike out the Diplomats in order to end the ballgame.

The Diplomats play a doubleheader against Salve Regina on Monday, March 10. The first game is slated for 12:00 p.m. EST (9:00 MST) with game two directly following.