LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Franklin softball team faced a stiff test in their conference opening double-header on Sunday (Apr. 3), taking on the Transylvania Pioneers.

The Grizzlies (8-8, 1-1 HCAC) fought back from a four-run deficit to earn a big 9-7 win in extra innings in game one. Game two saw the Pioneers (15-9, 3-1 HCAC) earn a split with a 4-0 win.

Game One: Franklin 9 – Transylvania 7 (8 inn.)
The Pioneers opened up a 3-0 through three innings before the Grizzlies got the bats going with a two-run single from Molly Wallace. A three-run fourth put the Pioneers up 6-2 but the Grizzlies would answer with back-to-back big innings. Annie Kluemper cut the deficit to 6-3 with an RBI single in the fourth and played a major role in a four-run fifth with a two-run single to put Franklin up 7-6.

The Pioneers answered with a run in the sixth and the two teams headed to extras after a scoreless seventh. Sydney Rodeghier brought in the go-ahead run with a triple and scored one batter later on Kluemper's third RBI single of the game.

Delanie Gourley (2-2) shut the Pios down in the eighth to earn the win, capping a four-inning relief outing that saw her allow four hits in relief of Stephanni Kleber. Kluemper went 3-for-5 with four RBI and Rodeghier had two hits to go along with a pair of RBI.

Game Two: Transylvania 4 – Franklin 0
The Pioneers took the lead for good with a run in the second and the hosts held Franklin to just two hits in the night cap. Wallace and Emily Streib both found their way on base with singles to account for the Grizzlies' offense in game two.

Sydney Pitts (3-2) tossed her second straight complete game, allowing one earned run on nine hits.

Up Next
Franklin hosts Hanover on Wednesday (Apr. 5) afternoon with first pitch from Behrens Field set for 3:30 p.m.