By Ezra Gennello, staff writer.

At the beginning of the 2020 season, the Franklin Pierce University softball program was on fire. With a red-hot 10-1 record out of the gate, including six straight wins before the COVID-19 pandemic brought things to an end, the team was well on the way to a record-breaking campaign. A lot of the early production came from the three seniors and lone graduate student on the roster. The group of seniors has seen this team go from a single win during their freshman season in 2017 to the record-breaking start to their senior season. With the cancellation of the rest of the season, this group won’t get a chance to have their Senior Day ceremony, which was scheduled to be held in conjunction with a doubleheader against Le Moyne on Sunday. Today, as part of an ongoing series, we give those seniors their due recognition.

#1 Kaitlyn Rooney

Kaitlyn Rooney, is an infielder from Shirley, Mass., who played for the Ravens for four years. She is a psychology major, with minors in forensic psychology and sports and recreation management. During her four years, Rooney played in 76 games, recorded 29 hits at the plate and tallied 13 RBI.

When asked about what playing at Franklin Pierce meant to her, Rooney answered, “Being at this school and on this team has made me who I am today, and I will forever be grateful for that.” She also added, “All I know is that I wouldn’t trade these past four years for anything, and I would not have made it without the girls I was honored to share a field with.” Rooney finished up by praising fellow seniors Amelia Mamone and Madi Killebrew for being great teammates and friends.

#3 Madi Killebrew

Madi Killebrew a graduate student transfer from Boston University, where she was a four-year member of the team. She originally hails from Dana Point, Calif., and her addition brought a veteran presence and strong bat to the Ravens’ lineup. Through 11 games this season, Killebrew amassed eight hits. Including four doubles and a triple, for a .250 batting average to go along with her three RBI. In her time at BU, she was an All-Patriot League Second Team selection in 2019, and a two-time selection to the Patriot League All-Tournament Team, including Tournament MVP honors in 2018.

Upon her graduation from BU, Killebrew thought she was done with softball, but decided to come back to the sport she loved. “I missed those early morning workouts, seemingly endless practices, and the excitement and adrenaline I felt waking up on game days,” said Killebrew Coming to rural New Hampshire from California, after time in downtown Boston, was an added challenge, but Killebrew credits her teammates for making the transition easy. Franklin Pierce was exactly what Killebrew was missing to bring her back to loving softball.

#8 Amelia Mamone

Amelia Mamone is a four-year member of the team from Averill Park, N.Y., and a health sciences major. Through her four seasons, Mamone made 79 appearances in the pitching circle, totaling 274 innings. She sits in third and ninth in those categories, respectively, in the program’s record book. Mamone also holds the record for most appearances in a single season with 29 during the 2019 season. Mamone struck out 145 batters, earned three saves, and pitched 14 complete games for the Ravens.

Mamone described her four years at Franklin Pierce with one word: “Indescribable.” She added, “They were the best four years of my life… I am so thankful for the experiences and lessons I have learned to guide me through the rest of my life.” While there are many people she wanted to thank, Mamone specifically highlighted assistant Athletic Trainer Makina Itchkavich-Levasseur: “Makina is extremely kind-hearted and would do absolutely anything for her athletes. She has been there for me countless of times, regardless of the situation.”

#21 Sarah Ernst

Sarah Ernst is a sports and recreation management major who has seen time in the outfield for the Ravens over the last two seasons. She has appeared in 17 games for the Ravens, collecting three hits, including a double, to go with two walks and two runs scored.

“It brought me family,” is what Ernst said about her time with the softball program. Ernst also gave a shout out to teammate Lindsay Finney, as the two are lifelong friends who were brought closer together during their time at Franklin Pierce.

One of the biggest supporters of this graduating class is head coach Andy Klaus. “I am beyond proud of their accomplishments in every facet of their lives,” said Klaus, when asked about the group. He also added, “Each one of our seniors will hold a special place in my heart, and in our program.”