CHICAGO, Ill. – The Franklin softball team hit the road on Tuesday (Apr. 18) afternoon for a pair of non-conference games with the Maroons of the University of Chicago.
The Grizzlies (20-10) held a lead in both games but saw the Maroons (16-7-1) battle back to win both games by scores of 4-3 and 8-3.
Game One: Chicago 4 – Franklin 3
The Grizzlies rallied for three runs in the first with two outs in the inning. With two on and two down,
Eriana Wagner ripped an RBI double into the right center field gap for the game's first run. One batter later, a fielding error allowed both Wagner and
Genesis Munoz to score to spot Franklin a 3-0 lead.
The Maroons got two runs back in their first trip to the plate and the game remained in a stalemate until the final inning as both teams squandered scoring chances. Chicago scored both of their last two runs in their final at-bat to cap the win.
Sydney Bostic went 3-for-3 at the plate and was the only Grizzly to record multiple hits in the game.
Sydney Pitts (7-6) tossed a complete game in the circle, walking one and striking out a pair.
Game Two: Chicago 8 – Franklin 3
Down by a run after an inning, Franklin took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second with Wagner scoring on a throwing error and
Sydney Rodeghier knocking home a run with a single. The lead held until the third when the Maroons tied things up and Chicago took the lead for good with a four-run fourth inning.
Kylie Kadel plated Franklin's final run of the game in the sixth with a two-out RBI single, but Franklin's rally ended with the tying run at the plate and Chicago put things away with two more runs in the sixth.
Stephanni Kleber (10-4) got the start in the circle and went four innings before giving way to Kadel, who tossed the final two frames in relief. Kadel, Rodeghier,
Catie Moore and
Erin Bruce all finished the game with hits for the Griz.
Up Next
Franklin welcomes #22-ranked Transylvania to Behrens Field on Sunday (Apr. 23) afternoon for a conference double-header. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.