COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus softball team was swept in a doubleheader by Franklin & Marshall on Tuesday afternoon in Centennial Conference action at the Snell Softball field. The Bears were downed 6-1 in game one before suffering a 6-0 setback in game two.

With the losses, the Bears fall to 13-10 overall and 2-4 in Centennial Conference action. Meanwhile, the Diplomats improved to 15-13 overall and 2-6 in conference play.

GAME ONE

Three-straight singles gave the Diplomats the initial 2-0 lead in the first inning. F&M added to its lead with three runs in the top of the second inning off three hits and an error. The first two runs scored on a two-run single before the third run came across off a fielding error at second base. Ursinus started a potential two-out rally in the bottom of the third by putting runners on first and second base, but a groundout ended the threat. The Bears then advanced runners to second and third base in the bottom of the fourth before a called third strike ended that potential rally. Ursinus finally capitalized with two outs in the bottom of the fifth when junior Allyson Meakim roped a single to right field to score sophomore Sarah DiLello from second base and cut the deficit down to 5-1. The Bears stranded two more runners in the bottom of the sixth and the Diplomats added one last run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly following a triple in the previous at-bat.

GAME TWO

The Diplomats took the initial 1-0 lead off a two-out single in the top of the first with a runner on second base. F&M's runner was called safe after the umpire ruled obstruction at home plate. F&M pushed across four more runs in the top of the second off three hits and one error to extend their lead to 5-0. A walk and a double put runners on second and third base with no outs and the first run came across on a dropped fly ball in right field. The second run of the inning came home off a fielder's choice hit deep in the hole at shortstop and the final two runs were scored off a two-out single that snuck through the right side. Ursinus looked to rally in the top of the second as they advanced runners to second and third base with two outs, but a strikeout ended the threat. F&M added one last run in the top of the seventh on a single to right field with one out. Diplomats starter Charlotte Dwyer took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before sophomore Sara Sullivan broke it up with a single to shallow centerfield to lead off the inning. A walk put runners on first and second with no outs before Dwyer retired the next three Bears to end the game.

Senior Mackenzie Brennan went 2-of-4 from the plate in game one and senior pitcher Kayla McTamney suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits with one walk in two innings. First-year pitcher Stephanie Wichman posted a solid performance in relief by allowing just one earned run on two hits with two strikeouts along with one walk in five innings of work.  Junior pitcher Alexis Miller went the distance in game two for the Bears despite suffering the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) on 10 hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

The Bears return to action tomorrow, April 13th as they will host Alvernia for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.