DOYLESTOWN, Pa.- The Franklin & Marshall softball team (10-14, 2-4 Centennial Conference) suffered a sweep on the road at Delaware Valley (19-5, 4-4 MAC Freedom), combining for just two runs across the two defeats.
Game One
A six-run second inning from the Aggies allowed the hosts to coast to a 7-1 victory in the first game of the evening.
Kate DelGrippo had the best offensive performance in a game where F&M was held to three hits, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double.
Morgan Risnychok had the other hit for F&M on a single.
Alex Kilpatrick pitched the final 4.1 innings in relief, allowing one earned run on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
Neither side threatened in the first inning, as the first hit came from a leadoff single from Delaware Valley in the bottom of the second. Following a strikeout, the Aggies loaded the bases on two more singles, while the first run crossed the plate on a walk. Delaware Valley cleared the bases on the next at-bat on a grand slam over the center-field fence. They added one more run with two outs on a sequence of a double and a single to complete scoring in the inning.
Delaware Valley looked to add to their lead in the third inning following a one-out single and another runner reaching on a two-out outfield error. Kilpatrick stranded both runners in scoring position thanks to a strikeout.
Risnychok singled to open the top of the fourth, but a lineout double play left F&M with just an out in the inning. DelGrippo broke the shutout on a home run to left field.
The Aggies completed the scoreline in the bottom of the fifth, making use of a one-out double and sacrifice bunt with a two-out single up the middle to claim a 7-1 lead.
F&M managed just one base runner in the final three innings via a one-out DelGrippo double in the seventh.
Game Two
A five-run sixth inning for the Aggies sealed a run-rule loss for F&M by a 9-1 scoreline in the second game of the doubleheader.
Risnychok was 1-for-3 with an RBI while
Sara Hess,
Ellie LoPiccolo, and
Erika Stewart (1 BB, 1 R) also recorded one single.
Delaware Valley scored their first two runs with two outs in the second inning. The first run crossed the plate on a double to left field, while one more run scored on a single to the left side.
The Diplomats got two runners into scoring position to begin the third inning on Stewart's single,
Megan Wiarda reaching on an error, and Wiarda's steal of second base. The Aggie maintained the shutout with two strikeouts and a groundout.
One more run scored for Delaware Valley in the third inning on a one-out double to left field, although DelGrippo was able to leave two runners intscoring position following a groundout back to her in the circle and a strikeout. The Aggies added another run in the fourth inning on a solo homer to go ahead, 4-0.
F&M's lone run of the game came in the fifth inning, as Stewart singled and advanced to third base on a groundout and flyball to right field. Risnychok brought the runner home with a single to the left side. A single from Hess and
Lauren Steiner walk loaded the bases, but a flyout ended the frame.
The Aggies scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to reach the run rule. The first two runs scored following a leadoff triple and a home run over the center field fence for a 6-1 advantage. With runners on the corners, one more runner scored on a double steal, while their fourth run of the inning crossed the plate one at-bat later on an infield error. With the bases loaded, the game-winning run scored on a single up the middle.
Up Next
F&M hosts McDaniel for two Centennial Conference games on Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m.
