(WILMINGTON, Ohio) – The Wilmington College softball team opened their 2025 season this afternoon with an 8-4 victory over the visiting Franklin College Grizzlies at the Wilmington College Softball Complex.
The second game of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness in the bottom of the fourth inning, with the Quakers leading 12-9. It is unknown whether the second game will be completed or not at this time.
A big two out single that just got in between the Quakers outfield gave the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one. Wilmington struggled through the first three innings of action, only getting one hit, but sophomore
Belle Baughman held the Franklin bats in check after the first inning runs.
The Quakers broke through in the bottom of the fourth with a six-run frame, with all six runs coming with two outs. The scoring got started with a
Samantha Schwab double to right center to score
Cici Harding, who ran for a single hitting
Alasandra Spears. A pair of RBI singles from
Jocelyn Franz and
Ashley Jo Hardesty put the Quakers up 3-2.
Haley Johnson followed with an RBI double and a
Claire Scully RBI double chased the starter. The final run of the inning scored on a
Rachel Berry single into right center field for a 6-2 Quakers advantage.
A pair of Grizzlies runs in the top of the sixth cut the lead back down to two at 6-4. Wilmington didn't blink though and scored two more in the bottom of the inning for an 8-4 advantage. It started with a Johnson single and a sacrifice bunt got her to second. A Berry triple and
Kori Cornett double later and the Quakers had their two runs back.
Laney Starbuck shut the door on Franklin in the seventh for Wilmington's victory.
Notables
What's Up Next
Wilmington plays at Centre College Saturday afternoon with first pitch of game one set for 2:00 P.M.
These two teams haven't squared off since 2017.
