FRANKLIN, Ind. – Hanover (10-22 overall, 2-10 HCAC) forced Franklin's hand in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle, surrendering the doubleheader late into the contest 4-3, 9-8.
 
GAME ONE
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hanover went toe-to-toe with one of the conference's top teams Wednesday afternoon, pushing Franklin to the brink before falling 4–3 in a tightly contested opener of the doubleheader.
 
Hanover struck first in the second inning when sophomore Ashley Fulton launched a solo home run to center, immediately putting pressure on Franklin. From there, the Panthers leaned on a gritty defensive effort and a strong outing in the circle from sophomore Lulu Van Beek, who kept a potent Franklin lineup in check.
 
Franklin responded in the fourth and sixth innings, capitalizing on a few miscues to take a 3–1 lead. But Hanover refused to fold.
 
In the top of the seventh, the Panthers delivered their biggest punch. Freshman Morgan Bailey sparked the rally with a single, followed by another clutch hit from Fulton—who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and the team's only home run. Freshman Karsyn Naue then came through in a big moment, driving in two runs to tie the game at 3–3 and put Hanover on the verge of a major upset. However, Franklin found away in the seventh inning to secure the game one win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Fulton led the Panthers going 2-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored.
 
Van Beek pitched six complete innings with seven strikeouts.
 
GAME TWO
HOW IT HAPPENED
Hanover didn't just challenge Franklin once—they did it all over again in game two, turning the doubleheader into a full-day battle.
 
The Panthers came out aggressive and confident, striking early in the first inning. Sophomore Addison Smith set the tone by reaching base, and freshman Niecy Reyna followed with a clutch RBI double to get Hanover on the board. Moments later, Fulton drove in another run, giving Hanover a quick 2–0 lead and immediate momentum.
 
Even after Franklin answered with a big inning, Hanover refused to let the game slip away.
 
This time, the offense erupted. The Panthers piled up 11 hits. Bailey delivered one of the biggest swings of the day with a home run, while Reyna stayed hot at the plate, and multiple players contributed to keep Franklin on their heels.
 
Hanover continued to answer every Franklin push as Fulton once again played a key role both at the plate and in the circle, while Van Beek returned to pitch in relief.
 
The Panthers traded blows with Franklin in a high-scoring finish, keeping the outcome in doubt until the very end. But once again, Franklin found just enough to escape with the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Bailey led the Panthers with a home run and a run scored.
 
Fulton pitched four complete while striking out one.