Softball Edged by Earlham to Begin HCAC Tourney Play

For the entirety of the regular season, Franklin softball was perched atop the HCAC. The Grizzlies have a tough climb ahead if they’re going to end the conference tournament there, putting themselves in a hole with a 5-3 eight-inning loss to fourth-seeded Earlham on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, top-seeded Franklin (30-11) will try to keep its season alive by winning a 12:30 p.m. elimination game against No. 2 Mount St. Joseph. The two teams split a doubleheader on the final day of the regular season, finishing in a tie atop the standings. Thursday’s game was scoreless through the first three…