Game Notes

The Franklin & Marshall softball team (9-20, 4-8 Centennial) enters the final week of the regular season one game back from a spot in the Centennial Conference playoffs with four conference games to play. They'll face two teams also vying for the final few spots in Ursinus and Washington College. F&M will also face non-conference opponents York and Marywood. The current Centennial Conference standings are available here.

Last Week

The Diplomats were 1-3 across a pair of Centennial Conference doubleheaders, suffering a sweep hosting No. 14 Gettysburg before splitting against Dickinson on Senior Day.

The Red Devils earned a 5-0 win in the first game before F&M's offense posted eight runs in the first two innings of their 8-2 win to conclude the series. Game one saw Dickinson pull away with a three-run second inning while keeping F&M's offense to just five singles to earn the 5-0 win in the first game. Grace Header went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, while Natalia Garza had a pair of walks. Dickinson posted those three runs in the second inning on four hits and a pair of F&M throwing errors that allowed runners to advance. They added one more run in the third inning on a double steal with runners on the corners that incited a throw to second base, while they finished scoring with a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning. F&M's best chance to score came in the fifth, when Garza and Claire Sullivan reached safely to begin the inning, although Dickinson recovered by retiring the next three batters. Following Senior Day festivities in between games, F&M's offense posted eight runs inside of the first two innings in an 8-2 win to conclude the day. Kate DelGrippo allowed no hits and two walks with four strikeouts in her four innings of service, while Header was 3-for-4 with an inside-the-park home run, three RBI, and one run. Five other Diplomats had multi-hit games including DelGrippo, Jaden Spigner, Hillary Murse, Sophia Noriega, and Alexa Klepper. DelGrippo stranded two runners in the first inning, and she was rewarded with a three-run bottom of the first. All of the hits came with two outs on a series of a double and four-straight singles. F&M posted five more runs in the second inning, with scoring capped by Header's inside-the-park homer to left-center that scored a pair of runs. Dickinson was two outs away from the run rule coming into effect when they recorded their only hit - a two-run home to left field - to keep the game alive and reduce the gap to 8-2. Aliza Sheflin recovered from this by retiring the next eight batters in order to earn the save.

F&M lost both games to No. 14 Gettysburg, falling 6-0 and 6-1, respectively. The defense struggled to five errors in game one, as Charlotte Dwyer allowed just one earned run from six total runs across 5.2 innings of service. The Bullets also limited the offense to just one hit, coming via Erika Stewart in the third inning. Gettysburg scored one run in the fourth inning after reaching on a leadoff error. They added two more runs in the fifth inning on a two-out single, while they completed their scoring with three runs in two hits, two errors, one walk, and a hit batter in the sixth. Game two saw the teams bring a 1-1 deadlock into the fifth inning, although Gettysburg scored five runs over the final three innings to complete the sweep, 6-1. Klepper was 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Spigner had one RBI on a sacrifice fly. Ainsley McClure pitched 5.2 innings, limiting damage to three earned runs on ten hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Gettysburg got on the board in the top of the first on a run of a single, sacrifice bunt, and RBI single, although a 4-3 lineout double play quickly ended the inning. Klepper singled to start the bottom half of the frame, and Gabby Mundy advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt. A passed ball advanced the runner, while Spigner brought her home on a sacrifice fly. Gettysburg eventually broke the 1-1 tie with a two-out single in the fifth inning, taking advantage of an earlier error that advanced a runner into scoring position. They added two more runs in the sixth inning on three-straight hits, while a two-out single in the seventh brought their lead to 6-1.

Last Time vs. Ursinus

The Diplomats offense was shut down in last season's series against the Bears with a 1-0 loss in game one and a 3-0 defeat in game two in Collegeville. Dwyer pitched the first five innings of game one with three hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Noriega was 2-for-3. Noriega singled and was bunted into scoring position to start the second inning, although F&M was unable to get on the board. Ursinus' got runners into scoring position in both the sixth and seventh inning, but they were unable to find the game-winning run to send the game into extra innings. With two outs and the inherited runners in second, Sullivan reached with an infield single before stealing second to put two runners in scoring position. Ursinus drew a flyout to keep things level. Following a passed ball that moved the winning run to third, Ursinus won the game with a hit to right field.

Ursinus scored two runs in the third and one in the fifth in their 3-0 win in the second game. Klepper had a double in the contest, while Hannah Matusiak had a pair of singles. Sullivan singled and stole second with one out in the first inning, although F&M was unable to bring the runner home. Ursinus also stranded runners in scoring position in the first. Ursinus struck for two runs in the third inning thanks to two leadoff singles and a stolen base to get both runners into scoring position to. A groundout scored the first run, while a wild pitch brought the second home. Klepper started the fourth inning with a double to the right center gap, although Ursinus recovered by retiring the next three batters. F&M got two runners on with two outs in the top of the fifth, but a fielder's choice ended the frame. Ursinus added insurance in the fifth inning on a one-out triple to right field, while two runners were stranded to keep the score a 3-0. The Diplomats look to get on the board in the seventh with singles from Megan Wiarda and Matusiak to get runners at the corners with two outs, but a groundout to shortstop ended the game and secured a sweep for the Bears. 

Ursinus Team Preview

Ursinus (19-16, 7-7 Centennial) went 3-1 in Centennial Conference competition last week,  sweeping Muhlenberg on Tuesday before splitting against Washington College on Saturday.

After falling 9-5 in the first game against Washington, the Bears recovered with an 8-5 game to conclude the day.  Ursinus took a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one, making use of a fielding error to extend the first inning. The Shorewomen responded right back with four runs in the second inning on three hits and an error. The Shoreowmen went ahead 5-2 in the third, but Ursinus reduced the deficit with two runs in the bottom half of the frame via a wild pitch and two-out single. Washington scored a run apiece in the fourth and sixth inning, while they added insurance runs in the seventh to push out to a 9-5 lead. The Shorewomen took a 1-0 lead on three-straight singles to kick off game two. Their lead was short lived, as Ursinus scored five runs in the bottom of the first on six hits and one error, including a solo homer from Kayla Carr. Later on, Ursinus added three runs in the sixth inning, marking the second big inning of the day that began with Samantha Mallen reaching on a single with a stolen base. They led 8-2 after six. The Shorewomen closed the gap in the seventh with three runs in an inning extended on an error, but Ursinus closed the game with a 8-5 victory. Madyson Hickman had two hits and one RBI in each game. Mallen had three stolen bases across the day, breaking her own single-season program record. Lucy Wolf earned the win on two earned runs, eight hits, two walks, and four strikeouts across six innings.

Earlier in the week, Ursinus swept Muhlenberg with an 11-2 win in five innings to start the day and a 7-2 win in game two. Mallen broke the program record for hits with her 192nd in game two. Across the day, Mallen was 6-for-9 with three hits in each game and four total stolen bases. Anna Evanchik was 4-for-4 with five RBI in the first game, ending the game just a triple shy of the cycle. Carr had five RBI across the day. Christa Andrusiewicz pitched all five innings in game one, allowing two earned runs, six hits, and no walks with five strikeouts. Wolf pitched a complete game in the second game, totaling two earned runs on six hits and two walks with three K's. Game one saw Ursinus score in four-straight innings to open the game, including three runs in each of the first three innings, winning 11-2 in five frames. Before eventually winning, 7-2, in game two, Muhlenberg claimed an early 2-0 lead via a two-run homer, while the Bears took the lead for good with a three-run third inning, as the first three batters reached safely. From there back-to-back singles gave Ursinus the advantage. They added to the lead with two runs in the sixth inning, while two more runs scored in the seventh in an inning that featured an error and wild pitch from Muhlenberg.

The Bears are tied for the second-most homers in the Centennial Conference (10), and they are stealing the second-most bases of any team. Their pitching staff has the third-best ERA (3.44), while they've recorded the most saves in the conference (8). Among Centennial players, Mallen ranks first in hits (59), runs scored (44), and stolen bases (42), with 23 more than anyone else. In those categories across DIII, she is fourth in stolen bases, tied for fourth in hits, and tied for 13th in runs scored. She is also second in batting average (.484) and on-base percentage (.519), and seventh in OPS (1.011). Carr is sixth in slugging percentage (.615), second in RBI (40), tied for third in home runs (5) and hits (44), tied for fifth in walks, and tenth in runs scored (25). Wolf ranks third in ERA (2.27), has the fourth-lowest opponent batting average among qualifying pitchers (.252), and is fifth in strikeouts (56). Stephanie Wichman leads the conference with six saves. Reagan Robinson has caught four base runners attempting to steal, ranking third. 

Last Time vs. York

The Diplomats were swept in last season's series at York, falling 4-2 in game one and 5-0 in the second game. York was quick to get on the board in the first game, using a sacrifice fly and an RBI double to make use of two runners in scoring position for a 2-0 lead. In the third, an RBI single with two outs brought another run home. Klepper kicked off the fourth inning with a single, followed by another single from Noriega. A wild pitch an at-bat later moved both runners ahead, with Klepper able to score from second. York escaped the inning without allowing another run York made the score 4-1 in the fifth with a lead off solo homer. F&M began the seventh with three-straight hitters getting on base including an RBI single from Matusiak. A foul out later on moved two runners into scoring position with two outs. With the tying run on second, a line out ended game one. Noriega was 2-for-3, while Maddy Yeingst drew two walks.

York scored all five of their runs in the first two innings of the second game. Back-to-back doubles followed by two-straight singles gave them a 2-0 lead. Two more batters reached via walks to force a run home, and the Diplomats were down 3-0 without an out. A strikeout stopped the run for a moment, as a fourth run scored on a fielder's choice play that included an error. They added one run in the second inning via back-to-back doubles. F&M's closest chance to get on the scoreboard came in the third inning, as they got two runners on with one out via a Garza walk and Spigner single before a double play ended the frame. The Diplomats got two runners into scoring position before suffering a shutout defeat.

York Team Preview

The Spartans (11-20, 6-5 MAC Commonwealth) played two series last week, earning a sweep at MAC Commonwealth opponent Stevenson on Friday after suffering a sweep hosting No. 8 Salisbury in the mid-week. 

Game one against Stevenson saw York score two runs apiece in the second in fifth innings in a 4-1 victory to open the afternoon. Natalie Rietema pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run, five hits, and four walks with three strikeouts. York got on the board in the second inning, with the first run scoring via an RBI single from Rylee Dreyer, while a second run scored on an error. Two more runs scored in the fifth inning following Jordyn Wooling's single and steal of second. Gretchen Barstad brought her home with a double, while Kate Miller brought a run home on a single. Stevenson broke the shutout in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly, although they could not reduce the deficit further. The Spartans were 10-2 clear through the first three-and-a-half innings before eventually winning 11-4. Barstad was 4-for-5 with two RBI and a pair of doubles, while Jordyn Woodling had a triple and three RBI. Emma Wade and Danella Silagy each had a pair of hits. Kyrsten Coppage pitched the first 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, five walks, and two strikeouts. Stevenson struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a pair of two-out singles. Woodling cleared the bases in response in the top of the second, as Woodling brought three runs home on a triple. One more run scored in the inning. The Spartans added one run in the third before posting five runs in the fourth inning. Stevenson reduced the gap a run in the fourth inning, while each team scored one run the rest of the way for an 11-4 final score.

Salisbury secured a sweep on Tuesday, winning 8-0 in six innings before earning an 11-7 win in the second contest. York was held to just one hit  from Alex McDonaugh in the first game, while Salisbury reached the run rule with four runs in the sixth inning. York held a 5-4 lead through four innings in the second game before eventually losing, 11-7. Wade was 3-for-4 with three RBI, a double, a walk, and one run. Miller had a home run and two RBI, while Woodling and Olivia Turchi each had a pair of singles. York scored a run apiece in the first two innings, including a solo homer from Miller in the second, while Salisbury countered with four runs in the top of the third, although they left the bases loaded. York countered with three runs of their own, scoring the runs on three-straight bases-loaded walks, although they also left the bases full. Salisbury tied the game at 5-5 in the fifth with a two-out single, and they rallied for a four-run inning in the sixth to lead 9-5. Each team scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning.

Among MAC Commonwealth players, Barstadt is ninth in batting average (.385), eighth in slugging percentage (.646), eight in on-base percentage (.459), and eighth in OPS (1.105). She is also tied for fourth in hits (37), tied for fifth in homers (4) and stolen bases (10), seventh in runs scored (25), and tied for sixth in doubles (9), and triples (2). Dreyer is tied for the fourth-most walks (17). Rietema has the third-most strikeouts (75) and fifth-lowest opponent batting average (.249) across the most innings pitched (101.1). She does lead in looking strikeouts (34). Behind the plate, Wade has caught the most base runners attempting to steal of any catcher (9). She's tied for 17th in DIII in that category. 

Last Time vs. Washington College

F&M scored eight runs in both games against the Shorewomen last year en route to a sweep. They won 8-3 in game one and 8-7 in game two. F&M made use of poor errors in their 8-3 victory in game one, totaling just five hits. Washington College earned a 1-0 lead in the second inning via back-to-back wild pitches before F&M struck for four runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Diplomats loaded the bases via a leadoff walk from Maddy Yeingst and singles from Madison Martin and a Spigner walk with two outs. From there, two runs scored on an infield error, while two more came home an at-bat later on a Sullivan single to center field. Martin made use of a leadoff Yeingst walk in the third inning, scoring her on a double. Washington College made it 5-2 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, although this was countered by two runs from F&M in the fifth inning. Noriega and Yeingst walked to start the inning. From there, one run scored on an infield error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. F&M added another run on a double steal with runners on the corners. A Klepper double in the sixth inning completed scoring for the hosts, giving them an 8-2 lead heading into the last inning. The Shorewomen used three walks to load the bases with two outs, and they scored one run on an infield error from F&M. The Diplomats escaped the bases-loaded scenario via a groundout. 

Down 6-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Diplomats struck for five runs to secure a sweep of the Shorewomen. Washington go on the board first in the second inning, scoring a run on an infield error. A leadoff homer from Noriega to left field in the bottom half of the inning made the score 1-1, and a Wiarda double with one out brought Martin home from first base to give F&M a 2-1 lead. F&M added one run in the third inning following a Garza single and a Sullivan sacrifice bunt that advanced Garza to third. From there, a Klepper fly ball was turned into a successful sacrifice fly. Washington College struck for five runs in the fifth inning via five hits, including a three-run homer with two outs. F&M was quick to respond to the 6-3 deficit, loading the bases with one out in the fifth inning with three singles. Klepper then doubled to right field to score two runs before Yeingst took the lead with a three-run home run to left field. Down 8-6, Washington got back within one run in the sixth inning on an RBI groundout. They got one runner aboard in the seventh inning but could not get the runner into scoring position. 

Washington College Team Preview

The Shorewomen (10-22, 5-7 Centennial) split both of their Centennial Conference series last week, winning the first games against both Muhlenberg on Friday and Ursinus on Saturday.

Washington walked-off in a 5-4 game in eight innings to start the series against Muhlenberg before falling, 5-3, in the second game. Jenna Harper scored the game-winner in game one with a one-out single to score the free base runner from third base following a sacrifice bunt. Nevaeh Unzueta recorded three doubles and one RBI, while Anna Hutchison earned the win in a complete game appearance. Washington scored in the bottom of the first on a two-out double from Unzueta, although Muhlenberg claimed the lead with three runs in the third inning. The Shorewomen drew level in the fourth inning in an inning that featured a pair of hits, an error to score on run, and a sacrifice fly from Harper to tie the game. Washington claimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Mia Mavoides single, while the Mules drew level in the seventh to send the game to extra innings. Hutchison retired the side in order in the top of the eighth. The bottom of the eighth started with a successful Julia Weglarz sacrifice bunt, while Harper singled up the middle to win the game. Lilly Wenzel accounted for all three Washington runs in game two, as she hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning to erase a 3-0 deficit. From there, the Mules scored two runs in the sixth inning. The Shorewomen got the tying run to the plate in the seventh before falling, 5-3. 

The Shorewomen saw similar results against Ursinus on Saturday, taking game one, 9-5, before falling, 8-5, in game two. Weglarz was 2-for-4  with two RBI and a double in game one, while Mavoides recorded three hits, one triple, and one RBI. Ursinus claimed a 2-0 lead through one inning, although Washington swiftly swung momentum back their way with a four-run second inning. They added one run in the third on Shannon Rosche single, although Ursinus closed the gap to 5-4 in the bottom of the inning. Each team scored a run in the sixth inning, while Washington added two insurance runs in the seventh to win, 9-5. After a Harper single scored one run in the top of the first, Ursinus posted five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Ursinus would eventually work out to a 8-2 lead through six innings. A Wenzel two-run homer in the seventh reduced the gap to 9-5, although Ursinus eventually recorded the final out.  

The Shorewomen have the second-best fielding percentage (.957) among Centennial Conference teams. Among Centennial Conference players, Gracelyn Goforth is tied for the most doubles (12), while Wenzel is tied for third in home runs (5),  fourth in RBI (30), and eighth in slugging percentage (.586). Mavoides is tied for fourth in stolen bases (11). 

Marywood College Team Preview

Marywood (15-15, 5-3 AEC) enters the week in a three-way tie for first place in the Atlantic East following a sweep of Centenary in their lone series last week.

The Pacers won 8-1 in the first game before completing a 13-0 shutout in five innings to secure the series. The Pacers led 2-1  heading into the bottom of the six, striking for six runs in the frame to secure an 8-1 win. Brianna Voyer pitched a complete game to earn the win via one earned run, eight hits, one walk, and two strikeouts. Four hitters had three hits including Kat Davis (3-for-3, 1 BB), Riley Knott (3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R), Renee McDonald (3-for-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R), and Tori Para (3-for-4, 2 R). Marissa Hoffman and Riley Marshall each had a triple. Marywood scored two runs in the third inning, as the first three runners reached safely to lead the bases. Following a fielder's choice play at the plate, two runs would eventually score on back-to-back singles, although Marywood left the bases loaded. Centenary got back within one with a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, although they left two stranded when a two-out single up the middle resulted in the runner from second being thrown out at the plate. Marywood halted chances of a Centenary victory with a six-run sixth inning that featured six hits, a walk, and two wild pitches. All scoring happened with two outs. Grace Lorah allowed four hits and five walks with three strikeouts across five scoreless innings in game two, while Para and Knott each recorded three RBI in the game. Marshall led the team with three hits. Marywood scored four runs in the first inning on just one hit, as one hitter was walked aboard and two were hit to begin the inning. From there, a sacrifice fly scored one, a triple scored two more, and a dropped third strike brought a runner home from third. They followed this with a six-run second inning that featured nine hits including a run of seven-straight singles, all coming with two outs. The Pacers completed scoring with three more runs in the fourth. 

The Pacers lead the way in many Atlantic East offensive categories including batting average (.345), on-base percentage (.409), slugging percentage (.441), hits (304), doubles (50), and triples (13, tied for 1st). They lead in ERA (4.43), shutouts (5), opponent batting average (.312), and are third in strikeouts (115). Among AEC hitters, Para is first in batting average (.495), hits (50), doubles (18), second in on-base percentage (.523) and OPS (1.295), and fourth in slugging percentage (.772). Davis is third in stolen bases (16), fourth in hits (40), tied for third in runs scored (30), fifth in walks (13), and seventh in on-base percentage (.466). 

F&M Among Centennial Conference Sides (As of 4/20/2025)

T-3rd in Sacrifice Flies (12)
4th in Strikeouts (125)
T-4th in Walks (75)
T-4th in Saves (2)
T-5th in Caught Stolen Baserunners (5)

F&M Individuals in the Centennial Conference Top 10 (Among Qualifying Players, As of 4/20/2025)

Batting Average
4. Alexa Klepper (.461)

On-Base Percentage
3. Alexa Klepper (.506)

Slugging Percentage
2. Alexa Klepper (.632)
9. Jaden Spigner (.551)

OPS
1. Alexa Klepper (1.138)

Doubles
T-9. Jaden Spigner (8)

Triples
T-4. Alexa Klepper (3)

Walks
T-3. Natalia Garza (16)

Sacrifice Bunts
T-1. Gabby Mundy (1)

ERA
5. Ainsley McClure (2.54)

Strikeouts
8. Ainsley McClure (45)

Looking Strikeouts
T-7. Ainsley McClure (14)

Fielding Percentage
T-1. Natalia Garza

Putouts
9. Jaden Spigner (122)