Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall rallied in both games of a softball doubleheader to sweep Lebanon Valley in a non-conference twinbill Sunday afternoon at Baker Field.
The Diplomats scored twice in fourth inning of a 2-1 win in the opener, then plated three unanswered runs over the final four innings of the nightcap en route to a 9-8 walk-off victory.
Senior Jenn Roberts enjoyed an outstanding all-around day for the Valley. She pitched a three-hit, six-inning complete game in the opener before going 3-for-4 with four RBIs and a home run in Game Two. The homer was the sixth of her career for Roberts, who tied Melissa Ulrich ’05 for Lebanon Valley’s career home runs record.
Lebanon Valley (8-6) assumed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of Game One when junior Lauren Sanford led off with a single and scored three batters later on a single from senior Jenn Parks. But that’s all the offense LVC would muster against F&M starter Bonnie Crouthamel (4-4), who scattered seven hits and four walks while striking out five.
The Diplomats scored both of their runs in the fourth. Jessica Feldman led off with a triple and scored on a double from Lauren Incorvaia two batters later. Incorvaia moved to third on a single, then scored what held up as the game-winning run on a passed ball.
Sanford finished with two hits in the opener. Roberts (3-3) did not walk a batter and struck out seven.
In the second game, Lebanon Valley bolted to a 5-1 lead after an inning and a half of play. Senior Amy Batz and Roberts drilled RBI-doubles in the first before senior Lisa DiCristofaro smacked a three-run single in the second.
F&M rallied with five runs over the next two innings against LVC starter Kelly O’Toole, and Kathleen Clinchy’s two-run homer made it 6-5 at the end of the third.
Roberts clouted her homer, a three-run shot, in the fourth to put the Valley on top 8-6 before the Dips started their comeback against freshman reliever Allix Sanders. F&M scored on a sacrifice fly in the fourth, then pushed across an unearned run in the fifth to tie the game 8-8. Then with runners on first and second in the ninth, No. 9 hitter Barbara Sasso doubled home the game-winning run.
Sanders (1-1) was charged with her first collegiate loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out four over 4 1/3 innings. F&M starter Ali Tyler (2-6) worked 6 2/3 innings and gave up seven runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks. She struck out five.
DiCristofaro finished 2-for-3 and had two runs in addition to her three RBIs in the second game for LVC.
Lebanon Valley plays its home opener on Tuesday, when it takes on Delaware Valley College in a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
[Photo - Senior Lisa DiCristofaro]
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