Raven Softball Shutout 2-0 in Weekend Finale at Assumption

WORCESTER, Mass. (March 31, 2019) – Looking to salvage a game during their three-game road trip, the Franklin Pierce University softball program bats were cold until late in the game during a 2-0 shutout defeat to Northeast-10 Conference opponent Assumption College Saturday morning. The loss sends the Crimson and Grey to 5-14, 1-4 NE10 and the Greyhounds race to above .500 at 11-10, 5-4 NE10.

The Ravens only mustered three base runners (two walks, one hit) in the early part of the contest until their offense woke up in the sixth inning loading the bases. They could not cross the plate and were retired in order after a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh as Assumption swept the weekend series.

Junior third baseman Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Ravens while designated plater, freshman Allie Martinez (Upland, Calif.) went 1-for-2 with a walk. Sophomore pitcher Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) tossed four innings striking out four batters, scattering three hits and one walk as she was saddled with the loss to fall to 5-6 on the year. Junior southpaw Amelia Mamone (Averill ark, N.Y.) came on to pitch two frames in relief punching out two batters and allowing the other run to score.

First baseman Alyssa Bialakis and catcher Victoria Petrie bashed homers for the only runs of the duel led the Greyhounds. Mia Nowicki hurled a complete game shutout allowing four hits, three free passes and struckout three batters to improve to 6-4 on the season.

Assumption broke the scoreless game in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Bialakis roped a solo round tripper to put her team ahead 1-0. Franklin Pierce had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. Martinez led off the frame with a walk and moved up to second base on a groundout. Conway singled to center field putting runners at the corners with one down. Freshman catcher Cat Simmons (Pine Plains, N.Y.) stepped to the plate and promptly grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the scoring threat.

FPU only had one hit until the top of the sixth until they rallied with three two out base knocks. Martinez and first baseman Lexi Garcia (Sylmar, Calif.) singled to second base and Conway pulled a one-bagger into left field. Simmons failed to plate any of the runs as she stranded the bases loaded flying out to right field.

The Hounds tacked on an insurance tally in the home half of the sixth inning. Petrie kicked off the frame barreling a solo shot to expand the lead to 2-0. Pierce had one more attempt at a late comeback bid when center fielder Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) began the top of the seventh by reaching first base via a free pass. Hinckley galloped into second base following a fielder's choice. Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) pinch hit and flew out to center field for the final out of the game.

Franklin Pierce travels to interstate rival Southern New Hampshire tomorrow for a 4:00 p.m. showdown.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://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 (http://fpuravens.com). You can also follow the softball team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPUSoftball_) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpu_ravens_softball).