Merrimack Takes Two in Conference Doubleheader Versus Ravens

RINDGE, N.H. (April 24, 2019) – In their final two home showdowns of the season, the Franklin Pierce University softball team suffered two five-inning defeats, 12-1 and 14-2 to Northeast-10 Conference opponent Merrimack College Wednesday afternoon at the Bisaccia Softball Complex. With the wins, the Warriors stand at 22-21 and 13-10 in the NE10 while the defeats send the Crimson and Grey to 9-29, 5-19 NE10.

After playing the role of hero last night, freshman designated player Cat Simmons (Pine Plains, N.Y.) combined to go 2-for-6 (.333) at the dish in both games with an RBI single.

Game One: Warriors 12, Ravens 1 (Final – 5 Innings)

Raven junior third baseman Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) drove home the lone run for the Ravens in the first game. Shortstop Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) and right fielder Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) also tallied hits for Pierce. Hinckley made her third appearance in the circle this season and allowed one run to score off one free pass.

For the Warriors, center fielder Nicole Nanof was a perfect 3-for-3 in the batter's box with a game-high three RBI, two two-baggers and one stolen base. First baseman Caitlin McBride knocked home two runs as well.

Merrimack cracked the scoring column in the top of the first using some timely two-out hitting. Nanof pulled a single down the left field line just out of the diving reach of Conway. She immediately stole second base and came around to score off a Jenna Wike single up the middle. Wike moved up to second base off a passed ball, however, Raven starting pitcher Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.) punched out the last batter swinging to keep it a 1-0 game.

In the top of the third, the Warriors expanded their edge to 5-0 tacking on four runs. Kelly Dovi doubled, Tiffany Mangiameli singled to first base and Hannah Johnson walked to load the bases with no outs. Abigail Amato dug into the box and delivered an RBI single to right field and an extra run was brought home off a Raven fielding error. With two away, Nanof stroked a double into left-center field to cap the third inning scoring.

The Ravens got one back in the home half of the inning after a dropped fly ball, a Rego slapped single to right and a Conway pull through the left side. Merrimack put the game away in the top of the fourth adding six runs to their margin.

Game Two: Warriors 14, Ravens 2 (Final – 5 Innings)

Simmons paced the Ravens offense in the nightcap with a 2-for-3, one RBI performance. Hinckley powered a double as well. Nanof again provided most of the offense for Mack going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two RBI, two walks and a double.

The guests jumped on the Ravens in the early going stealing three bases which included a double-steal to account for the first run. Amato, the Warriors third batter doubled into right field making it a 2-0 game. Nanof singled to right plating Amato increasing their edge to 3-0.

Pierce had a two-out opportunity to cut their deficit down in the bottom of the first as freshman catcher Allie Martinez (Upland, Calif.) reached first base on a fielding error. Simmons ripped a single to center putting a runner in scoring position. Hinckley then grounded into a fielder's choice to end the scoring threat.

Two Merrimack sacrifice flies in the top of the fourth upped the score to 5-0. They chipped in nine runs in the next frame with the big blows being two doubles to lead 14-0. A Martinez walk and a Simmons single accounted for the only Raven runs.

The Ravens hit the road for a doubleheader at Stonehill College on Friday at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

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).