FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin softball team opened the 2020 home schedule with two games against the Kalamazoo College Hornets on Saturday (Mar. 7) afternoon at Behrens Field.

The Grizzlies (6-4) came out on the wrong side of a 2-1 decision in the opener and fell behind the Hornets (1-1) by four runs early in game two. But the hosts would climb out of the hole in the night cap to take a 7-5 decision, salvaging a split.

Game One: Kalamazoo 2 – Franklin 1
The Hornets got on the board in the top of the first, turning a Grizzly error into an unearned run. Franklin put two runners on in both the first and third innings, but couldn't find a run and saw their deficit climb to two when the Hornets added their second run in the top of the fourth.

The Grizzlies got on the board with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, with Annah Elliott bringing home Samantha Cain with a single. The Grizzlies kept up the threat and put two runners in scoring position for Danielle Wyse, but the Grizzly cleanup hitter was retired on a flyout to end the game.

Wyse and Natalie Weber had two hits each for Franklin, who held an 8-5 edge in base hits. Kayla Selzer (2-2) pitched well in defeat, striking out five and walking two in a complete game effort.

Game Two: Franklin 7 – Kalamazoo 5
The Hornets jumped out to another early lead, scoring three unearned runs in the first two innings and adding a fourth in the top of the third. With outs running short, Franklin's bats came to life with a big fourth inning that gave the hosts their first lead of the day.

Cain knocked in the Grizzlies' first run with a one-out single and was one of two players to come in when Annah Elliott's single combined with an error cut the deficit to 4-3. Sydney Rodeghier tied the game with an RBI single later in the inning and Addison Csikos scored the go-ahead run when a muffed throw allowed her to scoot home.

The Hornets evened things up in their half of the fifth, but the Grizzlies snatched the lead right back when Wyse roped a double into the left-center field gap, scoring Weber. Franklin collected a critical insurance run in the sixth, with Csikos scoring on a two-out error.

Wyse (2-0) allowed two hits and struck out four over 2 1/3 innings of work to pick up the W. She took over in relief of Alisha Burch, who allowed three earned runs over the first 4 2/3 innings.

Franklin is off for six days before welcoming the Capital Crusaders to Behrens Field next Friday (Mar. 13) afternoon. First pitch of game one is set for 2:30 p.m.