FRANKLIN – The Franklin softball team faced a stiff test on Sunday (Apr. 23) afternoon, with the #22-ranked Transylvania Pioneers in town for two conference games.
 
After dropping a tough 5-2 battle in game one, the Grizzlies (21-11, 4-4 HCAC) responded in impressive fashion in game two to hand the Pioneers (22-9, 7-1 HCAC) their first loss of league play with a 6-1 win.
 
Game One: #22 Transylvania 5 – Franklin 2
A two-out error in the first allowed the Pioneers to get the game's first run but a second inning solo home run from Genesis Munoz not only tied the game but snapped a 30-inning scoreless stretch by the Transylvania pitching staff.
 
A controversial play in the fifth that saw Eriana Wagner appear to come up with an inning-ending catch was ruled a hit and allowed the go-ahead run to score. The Pioneers used that momentum to plate three more runs in the sixth and keep Franklin at bay despite a seventh inning solo home run from Eriana Wagner.
 
Sydney Pitts (7-7) got the start and went the distance, giving up four earned runs with one walk and one strikeout.
 
Game Two: Franklin 6 - #22 Transylvania 1
The Grizzlies broke through in a big way with a five-run third that proved to be more than enough offense to come away with the win. Munoz knocked in a run with a single and an error in the outfield on the same play resulted in a second Franklin run. Molly Wallace plated a run with a fielder's choice and Wagner crushed a two-out two-run blast to cap the big inning.
 
Sydney Rodeghier added an insurance run with a sixth inning RBI single but the story of the second game was the effort of Stephanni Kleber in the circle. Kleber moved to 11-4 by scattering four hits and allowing one run with no walks and one strikeout in an impressive performance against the Pioneers' potent offense.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back in action on Wednesday (Apr. 26) afternoon, hosting Rose-Hulman for two games. First pitch from Behrens Field is set for 3:30 p.m.