LANCASTER, Pa.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (12-14, 4-4 Centennial Conference) secured key Centennial Conference victories over visiting McDaniel (11-16, 3-5 Centennial Conference), winning 4-2 in the opener and 6-2 in the finale.

Game One

A Megan Wiarda RBI double and Sara Hess RBI single canceled out a game-tying two-RBI triple from McDaniel in the top of the sixth to guide the Diplomats to a 4-2 win in the first game.

Ainsley McClure totaled a season-best ten strikeouts across her seven-inning complete-game win, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and one walk. 

Ellie LoPiccolo was 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI and one run scored, while Wiarda went 1-for-3 with a double, one RBI, and one run. Kate DelGrippo recorded one double and one run scored, while Hess was 1-for-3 with one RBI and one walk. Madison Martin didn't register an at-bat but drew two walks and hit a sacrifice fly for one RBI.

McDaniel looked to open scoring with a two-out walk and single, but McClure stranded the runners with a strikeout. F&M also left two runners aboard following a pair of early walks, but back-to-back infield groundouts ended the first.

LoPiccolo doubled to the kick off the bottom of the second and was advanced 60 feet on a Gabby Mundy sacrifice bunt. She was unable to cross the plate, as the Green Terror drew a strikeout and lineout. 
 
F&M claimed their first lead of the afternoon in a fourth inning that began on a double from DelGrippo. LoPiccolo brought her home on a single, while Mundy followed this with a single. A popout on a sacrifice bunt attempt drew an errant throw to first base in hopes of a double play, allowing both runners to advance into scoring position. One at-bat later, Martin hit a liner to center for F&M's second run of the inning.

McClure allowed just two baserunners between the second and fifth innings, including five strikeouts between the third and fourth frames. She did face pushback from McDaniel in the top of the sixth following a pair of one-out singles. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third base. The next hitter found the right-center gap to plate both runners. The throw to third base on the play went over Martin at third, but her throw to Wiarda at the plate was just in time to keep the game tied at 2-2.

The Diplomats made use of a two-out infield error from the Green Terror, as Wiarda plated the game-winning run on a double off the left-field fence. Hess scored one more run on a single to left field to give the Diplomats a two-run lead heading into the seventh.

McDaniel singled to begin the inning, while McClure quickly earned two outs on strikeouts. Back-to-back singles loaded the bases, but McClure kept the tying run on second base on a game-ending popout.

Game Two

A three-run F&M fourth inning broke a 1-1 deadlock, guiding the Diplomats to a 6-2 win in the nightcap.

DelGrippo earned the win in the circle, pitching a complete game with two earned runs, six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Abby Favazza and Erika Stewart each recorded a pair of hits and one RBI, while Favazza led the team with two runs scored. LoPiccolo recorded a triple, DelGrippo totaled a double and one RBI, while Hess had one single and an RBI.

McDaniel got two runners aboard with two outs before a runner's interference call closed the frame. In the bottom of the first, F&M put runners on the corners with two outs thanks to walks from Hess and Lauren Steiner, but a groundball concluded the frame. 

The Diplomats scored the game's opening run one inning later. Favazza singled with one out and advanced 60 feet on a successful steal of second base. With two outs, Stewart brought her home on a single up the middle. Stewart also stole second before a groundout ended the inning.

McDaniel leveled the scoreline in the fourth inning after a leadoff double and infield groundout to put the tying run on third base. The next batter hit a ball deep enough to center field to level things at 1-1. 

F&M's response was direct, as the Diplomats posted three in the bottom of the fourth. LoPiccolo began things with a leadoff triple down the right field line, while an errant throw on Natalia Garza's sacrifice bunt allowed her to advance to third base after plating the game-winning run. Favazza brought Garza home on a successful squeeze bunt, while Martin marked the third-consecutive successful F&M bunt to put Favazza on second base. With two outs, Hess completed scoring in the inning on a single up the middle, although F&M left the bases loaded.

A pair of McDaniel singles put runners on the corners with one out in the fifth inning. A successful sacrifice bunt scored one run, but that concluded scoring for the Green Terror in the contest.

The Diplomats added two insurance runs in the sixth inning. Stewart and Risnychok singled with one out to put runners on the corners. Mundy stole second base in the first phase of a double steal, while Stewart was able to coast home due to an error receiving the ball at second base. DelGrippo completed the inning with a two-out double down the left-field line before retiring the Green Terror in order in the seventh.

Up Next

F&M is back in action on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. for a trip to non-conference opponent Alvernia.