FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College softball team faced a stiff test in their first home games in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play, taking on #23-ranked Mount St. Joseph on Sunday afternoon at Behrens Field.

The Grizzlies (9-10, 2-2 HCAC) walked away from their battle with the Lions (19-6, 3-1) HCAC with a split, dropping the opener 4-1 before battling back to win game two 3-1 and hand the Lions their first loss of league play.

Game One: #23 Mt. St. Joseph 4 – Franklin 1
The Lions got the early jump with two runs in the first inning and added insurance with runs in both the fourth and seventh innings, respectively. The Grizzlies put a runner in scoring position in both the second and fifth innings, ultimately coming up empty handed in each frame. With two out in the seventh, Shelby Crockett broke the shutout with an RBI double but the Grizzlies would get no closer.

Crockett, Molly Wallace and Sydney Rodeghier accounted for the Grizzlies' three hits on the afternoon. Sydney Pitts (3-3) was brilliant in the circle, allowing one earned run on eight hits in a complete game effort.

Game Two: Franklin 3 - #23 Mt. St. Joseph 1
A leadoff single from Genesis Munoz in the second paid off later in the inning when Molly Wallace grounded out to knock in pinch runner Reanne Brinker for a 1-0 Grizzly lead. One inning later, Franklin tacked on two huge runs with an RBI double from Annie Kluemper followed by a sac fly from Sydney Bostic making it a 3-0 FC lead.

The story of game two was freshman pitcher Stephanni Kleber, who flummoxed the Lions' potent offense all game long. The only blemish against her was a solo home run allowed in the sixth and she fought out of a jam in the seventh to seal the win, closing things out with a strikeout of the go-ahead runner at the plate. Kleber scattered five hits, walked two and struck out two to improve to 3-5 on the year.

Up Next
Franklin is back in action on Tuesday (Apr. 12) afternoon, hosting the Hanover Panthers at Behrens Field. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.