FRANKLIN – The Franklin College softball team opened an important weekend of conference play on Saturday (Apr. 13), hosting the Defiance Yellow Jackets for two games at Behrens Field.
 
The Grizzlies (17-5, 6-0 HCAC) never trailed across the twin bill, sweeping the Yellow Jackets (8-17, 3-3 HCAC) by scores of 4-2 and 9-4 to stay perfect in conference play and run their winning streak to eight games.
 
Game One: Franklin 4 – Defiance 2
The Grizzlies cashed in on their first trip to the plate, jumping out to a 2-0 lead on a two-run single from Kendall Lowry. Franklin added to their lead in the third with an RBI infield single from Ruth Kaiser and Kaiser made it 4-0 with a run scoring ground out in the fifth.
 
That proved to be more than enough offense for starter Lauren Duncan (8-2) to work with, as she surrendered one earned run in the game and didn't face trouble until the sixth. Duncan scattered five hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
 
Lowry and Eriana Wagner both went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the offense.
 
Game Two: Franklin 9 – Defiance 4
The Grizzlies jumped on the Jackets early in the night cap, with Genesis Munoz' RBI double in the first putting the hosts in front. Molly Wallace and Karrsen Pruitt belted RBI doubles in the third to highlight a three-run inning and make it 4-0 Franklin.
 
Defiance halved the lead with two runs in the fourth but Wallace got those runs back with a two-run single in the bottom of the inning. Kaiser knocked in two runs in the sixth with a single and Lowry drove her in with a double later in the inning to put the Grizzlies up 9-2.
 
Stephanni Kleber (5-2) was stellar in the circle in a complete game effort, giving up four unearned runs on nine hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts.
 
Up Next
Franklin is back at Behrens Field on Sunday (Apr. 14), hosting Hanover in two more pivotal conference contests. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.