FRANKLIN, Ind. – In a pair of close one-run games, the University of Chicago softball team lost game one and won game two at Franklin College on Thursday.

The Maroons ran their season record to 16-15. The Grizzlies moved to 20-15.

Game One – Franklin 5, UChicago 4

UChicago continued its season-long trend of scoring in the first inning. Seniors Savannah Pinedo and Lainey Hughes smacked back-to-back doubles to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Then in the top of the third, Pinedo added to the lead with an RBI single to left field.

The Maroons made it 3-1 in the fourth on junior Julia Folkl's RBI single up the middle. A Franklin solo home run chopped the deficit to 3-2 in the fifth. UChicago attempted to pull away once again in the sixth with first-year Katelyn Ohlde's pinch-hit RBI single up the middle to make it 4-2.

However, the Grizzlies struck back with a three-run rally in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The go-ahead runs came in on a two-out, two-run single through the right side. UChicago put two runners on base in the seventh but couldn't find the equalizer.

The Maroons collected a season-high 15 hits and committed two errors. Folkl was a perfect 3-for-3 with one RBI out of the leadoff spot. Senior Jules Waller batted 3-for-4. Pinedo (one RBI) and senior Maddy Mudrick were both 2-for-4.

First-year pitcher Paige Heffke (8-8 record) tossed six innings in the loss. Her pitching line included four earned runs, three walks and seven strikeouts.

Game Two – UChicago 2, Franklin 1

Both offenses were stifled in game two, combining for only seven hits. UChicago took the early edge once again, this time in the third inning. First-year Tory Piuze delivered an RBI double to left center to put her team up 1-0. Franklin tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the frame after scoring on a wild pitch.

Two errors by the hosts proved decisive in the top of the fifth as pinch runner Lola Fisher moved from first base all the way home on the miscues.

Sophomore starting pitcher Delaney Romanchick held the Grizzlies in check throughout. The home team's best chance to rally came in the bottom of the sixth as Franklin loaded the bases with one out. However, Romanchick escaped without any damage thanks to an infield flyout and a fielder's choice grounder.

With the tying run on second base in the seventh, Romanchick finished off her complete-game effort with a swinging strikeout. She improved her season record to 6-5 with a pitching line of three hits, one run, four walks and five strikeouts.

UChicago tallied four hits and one error in the contest. Pinedo batted 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles.

NEXT GAMES:

• Saturday, April 30 @ 12:00 PM – Mount Mary University at UChicago (DH)