FRANKLIN, Indiana – The Wilmington College softball team closed out its 2018 season with a doubleheader loss at Franklin College on Monday. The Grizzles defeated the Fightin' Quakers 5-0 in game one and took game two 9-1 in five innings.
In game one, Franklin opened the contest with what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the first inning. Wilmington starter, senior Beth Persicano, avoided the big inning throughout the game, but wasn't given any run support as the Quakers failed to get a runner to third base in the game. The Grizzlies tackled on two more runs in the fourth to seal the win.
Alisha Burch allowed two hits four innings to earn the win while Kayla Selzer got the rare three-out save allowing just two hits as well. Persicano took the loss scattering 11 hits with two strikeouts.
Savannah Hooper, Mariyah Burkhardt, KenDahl Bowles and Kaylee Barber all hit singles for Wilmington. Lexi Gaffney finished 3-for-4 with a run scored for Frankin.
The Grizzlies' offense did not slow down in game two as the hosts plated runs in every inning including the three-run second to take a 4-0 lead. The Hooper twins started a Quaker rally in the third by both reaching base to lead off the inning. A successful sacrifice bunt from Megan Crager put both runners in scoring position. Unfortunately for Wilmington, the visitors would score just a run on a wild pitch as a foul out and groundout ended the inning.
Two runs for Franklin in both the third and fourth innings along with a run in the bottom of the fifth ended game two.
Olivia Paszek improved to 16-2 with the victory allowing five hits with three strikeouts. Grace Shell finished her freshman season with a 7-9 record by taking the loss.
Crager finished 2-for-2 in game two while Ali Dixon hit a double. Saywer Hooper and Persicano both hit singles for the Quakers. Samantha Cain led the way for Franklin going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.
Wilmington concludes its 2018 season with a 13-21 overall record and a 4-14 mark in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play. This season marks the seventh time under Head Coach Beth Floyd that the Quakers have crossed the double-digit wins plateau.