CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Franklin College softball team opened the final week of the regular season on Thursday (May 6) with two contests against the team sitting atop the league in the Mount St. Joseph Lions.

The Grizzlies (18-12, 7-7 HCAC) couldn't overcome a red-hot Lions (27-8, 14-2 HCAC) squad, dropping both contests of the twin bill by scores of 18-2 and 3-2.

Game One: MSJ 18 – Franklin 2 (5 inn.)
Franklin got run-scoring doubles from Sydney Bostic and Shelby Crockett in the top of the fourth inning, both coming in consecutive order to account for all of Franklin's offense. The Grizzlies managed just five hits in the opening contest, with Bostic accounting for two as the lone Grizzly with multiple base hits.

Alisha Burch (10-5) was lifted after 2 2/3 innings in her shortest start of the season. Christina Black and Emily Streib were both called on in relief.

Game Two: MSJ 3 – Franklin 2
Franklin broke through with the game's first run in the top of the third with Sydney Rodeghier bringing home Makayla Plymale with a sacrifice fly. One inning later, Franklin's lead doubled when senior Abby Hickson smacked a frozen rope over the wall in right field for her first career home run and a 2-0 lead.

The Lions would break through with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and after a Franklin threat fizzled out in the sixth, the Lions got a go-ahead leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning that would stand as the game-winner.

Delanie Gourley (8-6) got the game two start and went five innings with one strikeout.

Up Next
Franklin closes out the regular season on Saturday (May 8) afternoon with two more road contests against the Hanover Panthers. First pitch from Hanover is set for 1:00 p.m.