LANCASTER, Pa.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (9-20, 4-8 Centennial) split Senior Day against Dickinson (15-19, 4-10 Centennial), claiming an 8-2 win in game two after falling, 5-0 to open the day.
Game One
Dickinson used a three-run second inning to build a gap, while their pitching staff kept F&M to no runs and five hits in the 5-0 game-one loss.
Grace Header was 2-for-3 with two singles, while Natalia Garza drew a pair of walks.
After an orderly first inning, Dickinson struck for three runs in the top of the second in an inning that featured four hits and two F&M errors. Two runs scored before an out was recorded on a sequence of a double, single with a throwing error, and another single. One more run scored on an RBI single, while another throwing error allowed a runner to score from second.
With runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the third, Dickinson converted a successful double steal of home on the throw out to second base. They completed their scoring with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.
F&M's best chance to get on the board came in the bottom of the fifth when Garza walked and Claire Sullivan singled to begin the frame. Dickinson recovered to record three-consecutive outs, and they worked around errors in both the sixth and seventh innings to preserve a shutout win.
Game Two
F&M's offense exploded for eight runs across the first two innings, and they were led by Header going 3-for-4 with an inside-the-park homer, three RBI, and one run scored.
Kate DelGrippo allowed no hits through the first four innings with four strikeouts and two walks. Aliza Sheflin earned a save, allowing two earned runs on one hit with a walk and one strikeout in the last three frames.
Other strong offensive performances came from DelGrippo (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R), Jaden Spigner (3-for-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R), Hillary Murse (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Sophia Noriega (2-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 R), and Alexa Klepper (2-for-4, 1 R, 1 BB).
DelGrippo stranded a pair of runners in the top of the first, and she soon received plenty of run support. F&M struck for three runs in the bottom of the first, all with two outs, on a run of a double and four-straight singles.
One inning later, the Diplomats added five more runs on four hits. Gabby Mundy brought a run home on an RBI groundout, while the next run came to the plate on a Spigner double. DelGrippo brought the third run of the inning in on a sacrifice fly, while Header capped the scoring for F&M with a two-out, two-RBI inside-the-park home run that landed just inside the fence in left-center.
The Diplomats were unable to add to their lead the rest of the way, leaving nine runners on base the rest of the way.
Dickinson kept the game alive just as the run rule was ready to come into effect. With one out in the first inning, a two-run homer over the left-field fence reduced the gap to 8-2. F&M denied any late rally, as Sheflin retired the next eight batters in order.
The Diplomats continue Centennial Conference play with a trip to Ursinus on Tuesday, April 22, at 3:00 p.m.
