Game Notes

Set to open conference play this week, the Franklin & Marshall Softball team (6-8, 0-0) will first travel to York for a doubleheader on Tuesday before welcoming Delaware Valley and Muhlenberg to Baker Campus Fields for doubleheaders on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. The Diplomats will have a chance at matching their win total from 2023, should they win two more games in the upcoming slate. 

Last Week

In a doubleheader against Cabrini,  F&M dropped a 7-5 decision in game one before winning 6-5 in game two. Though the Diplomats jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first three innings of the first contest, the Cavaliers stormed back with six runs between the fourth and sixth innings to go ahead 7-3. In the bottom of the sixth, F&M loaded the bases and scored two runs, but stranded a runner on third as the rally came to a close. Unable to put a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh, the Diplomats fell shy of their comeback attempt. 

In the backend of the doubleheader, F&M got off to another strong start, leading 4-0 after the first two frames. After Cabrini got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth, the Cavaliers strung together a four-run inning in the top of the sixth to take a 5-4 edge. In the bottom of the frame, Maddy Yeingst came to the plate with a runner on second and blasted a two-run home run to give the lead back to the Diplomats. Kayla Kilmer then came in relief in the top of the seventh and closed the game with a one-two-three inning. Read the full recap here. 

Last Time vs. York

Last having met in 2019, the Spartans took both games of a doubleheader that season. The first tilt saw neither team score through the first three innings before York broke the seal with a five-run fourth inning, which include a three-run homerun. The Diplomats then plated a runner in the sixth inning and scored two more in the seventh, but were unable to complete the comeback as they fell 5-3. 

In the second game, the Spartans scored eight runs on eight hits as they shutout F&M 8-0 in just four-and-a-half innings. The scoring burst was highlighted by seven runs scored across the third and fourth innings, in which 18 batters came to the plate. Read the full recap here.  

Last Time vs. Muhlenberg

Visiting the Mules for a two-game set in 2023, F&M dropped both games of the doubleheader. Muhlenberg got off to a quick start in the opening game, scoring eight runs on five hits in the first inning. Later trailing 9-0 in the top of the third, the Diplomats began to chip away with a four-run inning, in which eight batters came to the plate. With the bases loaded two innings later, Riley Williams brought in a run with a walk before Alexa Klepper knocked in two more with a single. However, in the bottom half of the frame, the Mules brought nine batters to the plate and scored seven runs, capped off by a three-run home run, which ended the game by run rule.  

Putting just two runners in scoring position in the second contest, F&M was blanked 4-0. Muhlenberg brought in two runs in the bottom of the first before plating two more in the bottom of the fifth in its shutout win. Despite the loss, Aliza Sheflin tossed a complete game and tied a season-high of eight strikeouts. Read the full recap here. 

York Team Preview

The reigning MAC Commonwealth champions, York has picked up where it left off in 2023, getting out to a 13-5 start to the year. In their recent stretch, the Spartans have won six of their last seven games, including sweeps of Albright and Misericordia. The success has been highlighted by a strong showing at the plate, with the team averaging just over seven runs a game, good for top-30 in the nation. York has also slugged .514 on the year, which ranks 15th in division III. 

Leaders in the lineup for the Spartans include Gretchen Barstad and Emma Wade, who are batting .500 and .479 this season, respectively. Barstad has also recorded an on base percentage of .603, which ranks top-30 in the country, while Wade has slugged 1.000, putting her 11th in the nation. In the circle, Kyrsten Coppage has started nine games and logged an 8-1 record with a 3.11 ERA. Additionally, her seven complete games rank 11th in division III. 

Delaware Valley Team Preview

Currently on a three-game losing streak, Delaware Valley enters the week with a 7-5 record, needing just one more win to match last years win total. Prior to facing F&M on Thursday, the Aggies will first travel to Misericordia University on Tuesday for an in-conference doubleheader. Boasting a strong starting rotation in the circle, Delaware Valley pitchers have combined for a 2.24 ERA, which ranks top-70 in the country. However, the Aggies have not been able to provide run support, scoring 4.3 runs a contest. 

Through nine appearances and six starts, Madison Karns has posted a team-best 5-2 record with a 1.18 ERA. She currently ranks top-60 in division III in ERA, top-40 in complete games (6) and top-30 in shutouts (2). At the plate, Angelina Bresnen has registered a .543 batting average with 10 RBI and nine runs scored. Nationally, she ranks top-30 in both batting average and on base percentage (.610). 

Muhlenberg Team Preview

In a strong opening to the season, Muhlenberg is off to a 12-5 start, led by a 10-game winning streak from March 1 to March 16. Playing eight total games against seven non-conference opponents on their spring break trip, the Mules went a perfect 8-0 at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic and registered five run-rule victories. The success has come in large part due to the stellar pitching from the Mules, with the team's pitchers combing for a 1.77 ERA. Muhlenberg not only ranks top-40 nationally in team ERA, but also ranks seventh in shutouts with six. 

Having tossed four shutouts with one complete game, Justine Bergara has starred for the Mules in the circle. The junior has tallied a 7-1 record with a 0.71 ERA on the year, which ranks top-50 in the country. Offensively, Sophia Cicchetti has batted .500 with seven RBI and 22 runs scored. Her 30 hits ranks 19th in all of division III. Additionally, four Mules have collected double-digit RBI, with Scooter Hulsen ranking 18th in the country with 22.