LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Hanover softball team dropped their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament opener on Thursday morning, falling to Franklin 4-1.
 
The Panthers were led in the circle by senior Lily Beurman (Evansville, Ind.) who pitched a complete game with four strikeouts.
 
Franklin scored first in the contest as the Grizzlies were able to send a run to the plate in the top of the second inning following an RBI through the right side.
 
However, Hanover responded in the next half inning as freshman Ava Hilgenhold (Tiell City, Ind.) hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored sophomore Katherine Dickinson (Francisco, Ind.), 1-1.
 
The Grizzlies success at the dish continued as Franklin tacked on two runs in the top of the third inning before scoring the final run in the top of the sixth inning en route to the 4-1 victory.
 
Hanover will return to action this afternoon at 4:00 PM, taking on the loser of Mount St. Joseph and Anderson.