FRANKLIN, Ind. – After two weeks away from their home field, the Franklin College softball team stepped back onto the Behrens Field dirt on Sunday (Apr. 18) for a pair of league games with the Rose-Hulman Engineers.

The Grizzlies (12-8, 3-3 HCAC) powered their way to an 11-3 six-inning win over the Engineers (8-15, 2-6 HCAC) in the opener before Rose was able to salvage a split with a 10-5 win in the night cap.

Game One: Franklin 11 – RHIT 3 (6 inn.)
Franklin took the lead three batters into the game when Natalie Weber doubled home Sydney Rodeghier and they added to the lead when Sydney Bostic brought Weber home later in the inning to make it a 2-0 game. Franklin's lead held into the fourth when the Engineers brought home three in the frame, but the Grizzlies grabbed the lead right back in the bottom of the inning with a three-run triple from Shelby Crockett and run-scoring single from Weber that made it a 6-3 game.

Two innings later, Franklin brought the opener to a close with a five-run rally coming with two outs in the frame. Abby Hickson singled home a run and Bostic, Makiah Thomas and Addison Csikos all followed with RBI doubles to that plated the game's final runs.

Alisha Burch (7-3) responded from a tough Saturday with a strong showing in the circle, allowing three unearned runs on four hits with two strikeouts for her 10th complete game of the year. Weber, Crockett and Bostic all went 3-for-4 at the plate.

Game Two: RHIT 10 – Franklin 5
A two-out first inning double from Weber was followed by a Hickson single that scored her teammate and made it a 1-0 game. Samantha Cain doubled Franklin's lead in the bottom of the second with a sacrifice fly, scoring Makayla Plymale.

But trouble would follow as Rose plated four in the third and two more in the fourth before RBI singles from Cain and Crockett cut the Franklin deficit to 6-4 after four innings. Bostic added to the Grizzlies' total with an RBI double in the 7th but Franklin was unable to overcome a three-run Rose fifth inning followed by another Engineer run in the sixth.

Delanie Gourley (5-4) took the decision for Franklin, allowing two earned runs over 3.1 innings of work. Christina Black and Emily Streib combined to log the final 3.2 innings in the circle. Hickson finished game two 3-for-4 and Cain led the team with a pair of runs knocked in.

Up Next
Franklin steps out of conference play on Wednesday (Apr. 21) afternoon for two games against Greenville University. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.