FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College softball team resumed the conference portion of their schedule on Friday (Apr. 23) evening with two games against the Manchester Spartans.

In the opening contest, the Grizzlies (13-9, 4-4 HCAC) struggled to get the bats going in a 2-0 loss. Game two featured more offensive fireworks and Franklin holding off a seventh inning rally from the Spartans (4-18, 2-6 HCAC) to win 8-6.

Game One: Manchester 2 – Franklin 0
Franklin's best scoring chance came in the bottom of the second when Abby Hickson led things off with a double and advanced to third one batter later. But the Grizzlies couldn't cash in, recording two ground out to end the frame. Manchester plated two runs in the third and that stood up, as the Grizzlies would finish the game with just three hits.

Alisha Burch (7-4) pitched well in defeat, scattering six hits and striking out five in a complete game effort.

Game Two: Franklin 8 – Manchester 6
Down by a run after one-half inning, the Franklin bats awoke and led to a four-run inning. Hickson knocked home a pair with a double and both Sydney Bostic and Addison Csikos had RBI hits with two outs to make it a 4-1 game after a frame.

Manchester took the lead right back with a five-run second, but the Grizzlies drew even with RBIs coming from Natalie Weber and Hickson that made it a 6-6 game as the teams headed to the third. Franklin got the go-ahead run in the fourth when Shelby Crockett launched a one-out solo home run and Weber supplied a much-needed insurance run with a two-out solo shot in the sixth.

The final inning produced plenty of drama, with Manchester loading the bases before recording an out. But their rally was snuffed out by Burch, who retired the final three batters in order and record her first save of the year and third of her career.

Delanie Gourley (6-4) entered the game in the second inning and pitched brilliantly in relief, scattering six hits over five innings in relief of starter Christina Black. Crockett and Sydney Rodeghier both had two hits and Hickson had a team-high three RBI.

Up Next
Franklin hits the road on Sunday (Apr. 25) for a pair of non-conference games with the Bears of WashU. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.