Softball Blanked at Saint Anselm, 7-0

MANCHESTER, N.H. (April 11, 2019) – Four runs in the first and two more in the second set the tone early on Thursday afternoon, as Saint Anselm dealt the Franklin Pierce University softball team a 7-0 loss in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division play. Junior left fielder Maggie Murphy went 2-for-4 with a double and scored three times, while sophomore third baseman Lauren Washburn drove in three runs to lead the host Hawks at Saint Anselm's South Athletic Fields.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 6-23 (2-13 NE10, 0-9 NE Div.), while Saint Anselm improves to 24-7 (12-1 NE10, 8-1 NE Div.). The victory allowed Saint Anselm to complete a sweep of the three-game season series between the two teams.

Saint Anselm got all the runs it would need with a four-spot in the bottom of the first inning. Murphy doubled with one out and then scored while Washburn reached on an error. With two outs, a single by sophomore first baseman Abbie Murrell and a walk to sophomore designated player Maddison Leite loaded the bases for sophomore center fielder Kat Stackrow, who knocked a two-run single to right field. Freshman second baseman Kylie Fitzpatrick then put a single through the left side of the infield to score the inning's final run.

Two more runs in the second pushed the lead out to 6-0. Junior right fielder Shannon Colson singled leading off, stole second and moved to third on a bunt single by Murphy, who then stole second as well. Washburn plated both runners with a two-run single to center.

The Hawks added a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Washburn to create the 7-0 final.

Sophomore right-hander Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) started and threw the first two innings for Franklin Pierce. She allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits, walked one and struck out four while suffering the loss (6-9). Junior left-hander Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.) allowed just one unearned run on four hits while striking out four the rest of the way.

Junior right-hander Morgan Perry (12-5) threw the first four innings for Saint Anselm. She did not allow a run on two hits, did not issue a walk and struck out four on the way to the win. Freshman right-hander McKenna Smith threw scoreless, hitless ball with a pair of strikeouts over the final three innings to tally her sixth save of the season.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14, when they return home to host Bentley in a three-game NE10 Northeast Division series. The teams will meet for a doubleheader at noon Saturday, followed by a single game at noon Sunday, all at the Bisaccia Softball Complex in Rindge. 

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce softball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).