LANCASTER, Pa.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (6-10, 0-2 Centennial Conference) dropped both of their games against visiting Swarthmore (17-7, 4-0 Centennial Conference), losing 5-0 in game one before dropping the second game, 6-5, in eight frames.

Game One

Swarthmore never looked back after a three-run homer in the second inning to win the first game, 5-0. 

Ainsley McClure pitched all seven innings for F&M, allowing five earned runs on six hits and six walks with a strikeouts. The Diplomats offense was limited to three hits with one single apiece coming from Natalia Garza, Morgan Risnychok, and Gabby Mundy. 

Following a leadoff walk in the first inning for Swarthmore, the Garnet advanced the runner to third base on a groundout and stolen base. McClure generated back-to-back popouts to keep Swarthmore off the scoreboard.

Swarthmore struck for three runs in the second inning, however, making use of a walk and single with one-out with a three-run homer down the left-field line with two outs. 

The Garnet looked poised for another big inning in the third, loading the bases with one out via two singles and a walk. McClure limited the damage to one run, inducing a forceout at the plate for the second out, conceding a wild pitch to allow one run to score, and generating an infield popout to end the frame.

After being retired in order through the first three innings, the Diplomats' best opportunity to score came in the fourth inning following one-out singles from Garza and Risnychok. Swarthmore maintained their shutout, with a flyout and fielder's choice play.

Swarthmore completed their scoring with one run in the sixth inning following a leadoff walk and sacrifice bunt. With two outs, a single up the middle brought the runner home. 

Kate DelGrippo began the bottom of the seventh with a walk, but a lineout double play efficiently ended F&M's chances of snapping the shutout. 

Game Two

After F&M earned a 5-4 lead through a chaotic first two innings, Swarthmore found a game-tying run in the fifth inning ahead of winning 6-5 in the eighth inning.

Kate DelGrippo pitched all eight frames for F&M. One of her six runs was earned on eight hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. She starred offensively, hitting 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored, while Garza was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a walk, and one run scored. Megan Wiarda also recorded two hits with one run scored. 

F&M found themselves in a 4-0 deficit after the top of the first, as Swarthmore took advantage of a pair of early errors, scoring their first run on the second error. The Garnet scored three more runs with two outs on a two-RBI triple to the right-center gap and a single to the left side to complete their scoring in the frame.

The Diplomats responded directly with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Garza began the rally with a one-out walk and swipe of second base. Risnychok put runners on the corners with an infield single. Garza then scored on the second phase of a double steal, although Risnychok was out on the initial throw to second base. Lauren Steiner singled with two outs, and DelGrippo followed this with her home run over the fence in left center to get back within a run.

Following a 1-2-3 second inning for Swarthmore, the Diplomats struck for two runs in bottom half of the inning to claim their first lead of the afternoon. Wiarda singled, while Erika Stewart and Header singled to load the bases and force an early pitching change for Swarthmore. Garza brought two runs home on a single up the middle, but the damage was limited to two runs by the Garnet.

Each side got runners into scoring position in the fourth inning, including the Diplomats putting runners onto second and third with no outs. Swarthmore escaped the jam with three-consecutive groundouts.

Swarthmore drew level in the top of the fifth on a leadoff double and single before three-straight lineouts kept the game tied at 5-5. F&M got two runners aboard with one out in their half of the fifth, although Swarthmore retired the next two batters on strikeouts.  

Neither team could break the tie in the remaining two innings to send the game to extra innings.

Swarthmore began the eighth inning by advancing their free runner to third base on a sacrifice bunt, and that runner was later brought home on a two-out single up the middle. DelGrippo stranded runners on the corners to keep the deficit at one entering the bottom of the inning. Swarthmore maintained their lead, however, retiring F&M in order. 

Up Next

The Diplomats stay in Lancaster to host Albright for two non-conference games on Thursday, April 2, at 3:00 p.m.