CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Franklin softball team opened conference play on Sunday (Apr. 2) afternoon with two games against defending conference champion Mount St. Joseph.
 
The Grizzlies (15-7, 0-2 HCAC) struggled at the plate in both contests, dropping both games to the Lions (13-7, 2-0 HCAC) by scores of 8-0 and 7-2.
 
Game One: MSJ 8 – Franklin 0
The Grizzlies put two runners on with two outs in the top of the first but couldn't get the big hit to open the scoring. The Grizzlies put just one more runner in scoring position the rest of the game as the Lions pulled away with two in the second and fourth frames and a three-run fifth.
 
Sydney Rodeghier went 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of singles and each of Franklin's 3-6 spots in the lineup also recorded base hits. In the circle, Sydney Pitts (5-4) went 4.1 innings with a walk and a pair of strikeouts.
 
Game Two: MSJ 7 – Franklin 2
Down by a pair through four innings, the Grizzlies cut the Mount lead in in the top of the fifth as Rodeghier singled home Annie Kluemper. Kluemper drove in a run of her own to cap a 3-for-3 day at the plate in the sixth, but a three-run Lion fifth and two more runs in the sixth put the game out of reach.
 
Stephanni Kleber (7-3) got the game two start, giving up three earned runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in a complete game effort.
 
Up Next
The Grizzlies are back on the road on Thursday (Apr. 6), for two games with Greenville University. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.