LEESBURG, Fla. (March 10, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University softball team wrapped up their trip to Florida yesterday suffering a 15-1 five-inning defeat to Rockhurst University in the first game of a twinbill before beating Lake Erie College 7-1. The 1-1 Saturday effort gives the Ravens a 2-6 mark as they head back north to New Hampshire. The Hawks improve their record to 9-6 with the victory and the loss sends the Storm to 2-2.

Freshman infielder Cat Simmons (Pine Plains, N.Y.) starred for Pierce once again going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored. The newcomer finished the eight games hitting a team-leading .440 with two homers, six RBI, two two-baggers and four runs scored.

In game two of the doubleheader sophomore pitcher Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) threw another complete game, her second of the trip striking out nine batters allowing only three hits and two free passes. Zemaitis posted a 2-3 mark in Florida in 30.1 innings tallying 35 strikeouts and a 1.85 ERA.

Coming into the duel with Lake Erie, Zemaitis had 164 career punch-outs. With the nine K's, the underclassman climbed into fourth place in program history with 173 strikeouts passing Kalene Wotton (165, 2001-04) and Kayla Johnson (171, 2008-11). Zemaitis needs 14 more K's to move into sole possession of second place in program annals.

Game One: Hawks 15, Ravens 1 (Final – 5 Innings )

Sophomore shortstop Ashley Rosario (Queensbury, N.Y.) had the only multi-hit game for the Crimson and Grey in the defeat going 2-for-3 with the lone RBI. For the Hawks, third baseman Hanna Stam went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a long ball, three runs scored and a game-best four RBI. Rockhurst's number six through nine hitters combined to go 9-for-14 in the box with two homers, a double, eight RBI and eight runs scored.

Both teams swapped runs in the first frame as a Calli Wibbenmeyer extra-base hit pushed the Hawks in front 1-0 early. The Ravens tied the game in the bottom half of the inning via a Rosario RBI groundout which proved to be Pierce's only run of the game.

The Hawks offense exploded in the top of the second when shortstop Shelby Winkelman roped a two-run bomb to left field. Stam kept the line moving with a double to right field. Emily Clark ended the scoring plating Stam slapping a single to right field making the margin 6-1.

Rockhurst put the Ravens away notching three runs in the top of the third and six runs in the top half of the fifth to run-rule FPU.

Game Two: Ravens 7, Storm 1 (Final)

Five Ravens recorded multi-hit efforts including two three-hit games from center fielder Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) and designated player Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.). FPU also drilled three long balls in the battle. Hinckley went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a stolen base and Mamone had the first multi-hit game of her collegiate career with her first ever big fly and RBIs. Sophomore left fielder Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) was 2-for-3 with a round-tripper, and a game-high three RBI while Simmons chipped in a homer and two runs scored.

Rego began the top of the second inning lofting a solo dinger giving the Ravens the early 1-0 edge. Zemaitis came out of the dugout in the bottom half and promptly struck out the side keeping her team ahead 1-0. In the top of the third, team captain Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) led off the frame smoking a double. Simmons followed launching a two-run moonshot expanding the Raven margin to 3-0. Hinckley stepped into the box and sliced a single, stole second base and advanced to third via a groundout. Rego brought her teammate in with a single putting the Ravens ahead 4-0.

Zemaitis strikeout streak reached four straight batters in the bottom of the third when she got Jesse Carpenter to go down swinging. The sophomore hurler then induced a weak groundout to third then mowed down Chloe Allen for her fifth strikeout over the last six batters keeping her team in the Driver's seat, 4-0.

Mamone tacked on insurance in the top of the fifth walloping a two-out tater expanding the Ravens advantage to 6-0. Zemaitis allowed only one run to cross the plate as the Ravens left Florida with a 7-1 win.

Franklin Pierce returns home to New Hampshire before traveling to Pennsylvania for six games in three days. They head to East Stroudsburg University on Saturday for a 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. first pitch.

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).