LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (March 3, 2020) - The Franklin Pierce University softball team has been on fire to start the year winning nine of the first 10 games of the season with the latest two wins coming today. Day three of the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic in Little River, S.C. The first was a close 2-1 victory over the Bearcats of Brescia University and the second an even closer game a 4-3 win ending with a walk-off fielder's choice in the bottom of the seventh inning against Chestnut Hill College in the teams second meeting in as many days.

With the pair of wins, the Ravens are now 9-1 on the season with five straight in the win column. The Bearcats fall to 0-7 on the season while Chestnut Hill picks up their second loss against the Ravens this year and drops to 0-3 on the campaign.

Game One: Ravens 2, Bearcats 1 (Final)

Despite the low score at the end of the game, Brescia got their offense going in the first inning with their lone run of the game. Leadoff batter Courtney Klueppel got on base with a single and made her way around the paths for teammate Cassie Moss to bring her home on a fielder's choice.

The Bearcats would only hold the lead for an inning, as the Ravens were able to spring a run across home plate in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman Alexis Briggs (Lockport, N.Y.) was able to work a full count and put the ball into play, an RBI single bringing home junior Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) on the play.

The game would be a pitcher's battle in the middle innings. Senior Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.) got the start for the Ravens and went to work for four innings in the circle before being replaced by junior Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) who was more than impressive striking out eight of the nine batters she faced on her way to the win. Her record moves to 5-0 this season with a low 0.88 ERA in 24 innings pitched.

The Bearcats would call on junior Lauren Willet to try and shut down the high-powered Ravens offense. Willet looked strong only allowing two hits and two runs through her six innings of work but was credited with the loss skidding to 0-3.

The pitchers battle was going to conclude at some point and Franklin Pierce ended it in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly out from Lexi Garcia (Sylmar, Calif.) who continues her dominance over the past couple of games. The beneficiary of Garcia's SAC fly was Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, Calif.) who crossed home plate to give the Ravens the lead and ultimately the win.

Game Two: Ravens 4, Griffins 3 (Final)

Just a day after the Ravens used a three-run inning to lift them over Chestnut Hill the two teams met again for their last matchup of the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic. The Griffins would jump out to a quick 3-0 lead before giving up four straight runs throughout the remainder of the game including a walk-off fielder's choice to provide Franklin Pierce the win.

After losing due to a three-run inning to the same team a day before the Griffins decided that it was their turn to put three runs on the board in one inning, so as quickly as they could in the first inning the Griffins took a strong 3-0 lead over the Ravens.

Chestnut Hill found themselves in a good situation with two runners on and Gabrielle O'Byrne at the plate. O'Byrne smacked a ball deep into the outfield and put her on third before being brought home the next at bat by Nadine Arredondo.

The Ravens would bring the game to within two runs in the second inning and tied the game in the fourth thanks to strong at-bats from Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) with an RBI SAC fly and Briggs who brought home a pair of runs in the fourth inning.

The magic would come in the bottom of the seventh inning as Rego found herself on base with Madi Killebrew (Dana Point, Calif.) at the plate. Killebrew put the ball in play and Rego took off making it home before the throw from short would reach the catcher for the walk-off victory.

Freshman Madison Labrie (New Ipswich, N.H.) got the start giving up six hits and three runs in three innings. Mamone would come in for the fourth inning and close out the game giving up three hits and no runs earning her second win of the season and bringing her record to 2-0.

With their early-season success, the Ravens are over halfway (nine wins) to their single-season win record of 16 with 36 games remaining on the schedule.

The Ravens are back in action tomorrow for the fourth and final day of the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic in Little River, S.C. Their first game is against Brescia University at 3:30 p.m. on Field 6 before taking on Barton College in the finale at 5:30 p.m. also on Field 6.

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).