FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Franklin College softball team stepped out of conference play on Friday (Apr. 15) afternoon for a pair of games against the Flying Dutch of Hope College at Behrens Field.

The Grizzlies (13-12) used a power surge to take the opener 8-6, clubbing three home runs on their way to victory. The Flying Dutch (17-7) were able to take home a split after taking the second game 8-0 in five innings.

Game One: Franklin 8 – Hope 6
Facing a two-run deficit in the first, the Grizzly bats got right to work to take their first lead of the day. Sydney Bostic singled in Annie Kluemper for their first run and one batter later, Genesis Munoz swatted her first career home run over the left field wall to make it a 3-2 game.

Another Grizzly notched their first career round-tripper an inning later when Kluemper crushed a two-out, two-run home run to make it a 5-2 game. But the Dutch would answer with three runs in the third and another in the fourth to re-take the lead.

Hope loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but couldn't bring in any insurance runs and the Grizzlies made them pay in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and Munoz and Molly Wallace on base with back-to-back singles, Makayla Plymale clubbed the first pitch she saw over the left field wall for her first home run of the year and an 8-6 Franklin lead.

Sydney Pitts (6-3) made the lead stand, retiring the final six batters she faced to win her third straight appearance. Savannah Shadday started her second game of the year, allowing three earned runs over four innings. Wallace went 3-for-3 at the plate with Munoz and Kluemper both recording two hits each.

Game Two: Hope 8 – Franklin 0 (5 inn.)
The Flying Dutch clubbed four home runs to put game two away, allowing just a pair of hits to Munoz and Eriana Wagner. Delanie Gourley (2-3) got the start in the circle, tossing two innings before Stephanni Kleber closed out the final three frames.

Up Next
Franklin is back at it in conference play on Saturday (Apr. 16) afternoon, when they host the Bluffton Beavers for two games starting at 1:00 p.m.