ALLENTOWN, Pa.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (10-12, 2-4 Centennial Conference) split Tuesday's trip to Muhlenberg (18-8, 3-3 Centennial Conference), opening the day with a 8-0 run-rule win in five innings before being kept to just two hits in a 4-0 loss to conclude the evening.

Game One

The Diplomats never looked back following a seven-run onslaught in the second inning, earning an 8-0 victory in five innings to open the doubleheader.

Lauren Steiner and Gabby Mundy each had two hits with two RBI, while Mundy had F&M's lone extra-base hit on a double. Morgan Risnychok went 1-for-2 with two RBI, while Sara Hess and Kate DelGrippo recorded one RBI apiece.

Ainsley McClure allowed just two hits over five innings with six strikeouts in her shutout win.

Both sides went down in order in the first inning, but F&M was quick to strike in the second inning with seven runs on four hits and a pair of errors from the Mules. Following leadoff walks from Steiner and DelGrippo plus a successful Favazza sacrifice bunt, Mundy plated the first two runs with a double to the right-center gap. Nora Sidorski reached on an error in the outfield. Hess continued the rally with a two-out single up the middle, while a Natalia Garza walk loaded the bases. Risnychok plated two more runners with a single up the middle, while Steiner completed the scoring in the frame with a two-RBI single to the right side.

Neither side got into scoring position again until the top of the fifth as the Diplomats scored the run necessary to reach the run rule. Steiner singled and got into scoring position on a throwing error. DelGrippo took advantage of this with a single to left-center to claim an 8-0 advantage. F&M got two runners into scoring position with two outs, but a flyout ended the top of the fifth.

After retiring seven consecutive batters, including striking out the side in the fourth, McClure faced the first Muhlenberg scoring threat with a leadoff double to the left-center gap. She secured the shutout, however, with a popout, popout in foul territory, and strikeout to wrap up the opener in five innings.

Game Two

The Diplomats succumbed to an error-ridden four-run first inning on defense, while the offense was kept to just two hits in a 4-0 loss to force a split.

Kate DelGrippo pitched all six innings, allowing just one earned run from the four total runs on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Mundy reached safely on a pair of walks, while DelGrippo and Risnychok each recorded a single.

Muhlenberg began the bottom of the first with a leadoff single and swipe of second base, while a throwing error on the next at-bat put runners on the corners. F&M conceded another throwing error one at-bat later on a sacrifice bunt attempt, allowing the first run to score. Two more runners crossed the plate on a double down the left-field line, while the Mules completed the scoring on a two-out single up the middle for a 4-0 lead.

Steiner reached base on a walk to begin the second inning, but a lineout double quickly cleared the bases. Mundy walked aboard before a strikeout ended the inning.

Muhlenberg looked to add to their lead with back-to-back one-out singles in the third inning, but DelGrippo stranded the runners via a groundout and popout. 

F&M's best chance to score came when DelGrippo singled and Mundy walked to open the fifth inning. Muhlenberg preserved their shutout with three-consecutive strikeouts. 

DelGrippo stranded one runner in scoring position apiece in the fifth and sixth innings, while the Diplomats were unable to get a runner into scoring position the rest of the way.

Up Next

F&M travels to Delaware Valley for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 10, at 3:00 p.m.