CLERMONT, Fla. – Lady Baron softball came one run short of winning their second game in two days with a 9-8 loss to Lancaster Bible College in their second game of a spread-out doubleheader.

Franciscan started the day early with a 9 a.m. game against Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Franciscan kept in the first two innings, down just 2-1 heading into the top of the third but as the Lady Baron pitcher, Ashley Ruttencutter's arm started to tire, the Engineer's pulled away.

"We ran into some trouble in the third with Ashley's shoulder not feeling great," Parker said about the turning point in the 15-1 loss. "They were a team we definitely could have hung with if our pitchers weren't so tired."

Fortunately for Franciscan they had plenty of time to rest and recover before their 1 p.m. matchup against Lancaster. A little downtime and a lot of ice helped get Ruttencutter's arm back to strength.

With a rested pitcher and an energized roster, the Lady Barons started strong with a four run first inning. Three of the runs were driven in by an inside-the-park home run from FUS freshman catcher, Kim Muscat.

"Kim came up with a big hit when we really needed it and that started the momentum," Parker said. "The fielder made a pretty good throw to home but Kim just got in and scored."

The Chargers answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first and the game stayed close from then on.

Parker said that while her team played on of their cleanest games of the season defensively that a few errors in crucial moments cost them down the stretch. Still, the Lady Barons had their second best offensive output and their third best defensive game of the season.

"It was a good, solid performance. I'm proud of them," Parker said. "They knew what they needed to do. They were aggressive in their base running and they did everything I asked them to do."

Franciscan's offense was balanced through the lineup, with seven of nine players scoring and one of the two that didn't, driving in an RBI. On the mound, Ruttencutter's rested arm pitched her cleanest game as an NCAA pitcher, only giving up three walks.

The close loss was the last game of Francsican's weeklong spring training in Florida. Parker said the trip not only a success in providing the Lady Barons their first win in two season but also in the way her team was able to bond.

"I'm really pleased with the way they've come together because they really are a team," Parker said. "One player is not more important than any other and that really comes through in the way they relate to each other, the way they are in the dugout, and the way they support each other."

Franciscan will travel back to Ohio and continue their season with a home doubleheader against Waynesburg University on March 19, at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.