LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (March 4, 2020) - With rain in the forecast the Franklin Pierce University softball team took to the field one last time at the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic in Little River, S.C. against the Barton College Bulldogs. With the help of a two-run home run from freshman Hailey Melchert (Lake Orion, Mich.) the Ravens were able to close out the week of play with a 2-0 victory.

With the win, the Ravens move to 10-1 on the season and extend their winning streak to six straight games. Barton falls to 6-9 on the year with the loss.

The game would only stay tied for half an inning until the Ravens got their chance to swing the bat.  Leadoff batter Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) popped out to centerfield, but the Ravens would get on base with the next batter sophomore Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, Calif.). Lopez worked a full count before watching ball four and taking a trot down the first baseline. It would only take Melchert to bring home Lopez from first. Melchert also worked the count full but rather than taking ball four like her teammate she connected with a ball and sent it over the left-field wall to give the Ravens an early 2-0 lead.

With the early edge, the focus was on defense and steady pitcher Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) in the circle. Zemaitis pitched all five innings of the shortened game holding the Bulldogs to four hits and a pair of walks. Zemaitis has only given up three earned runs in six appearances this season with a 0.72 ERA. Her record improves to 6-0 as she continues her lethal season for Franklin Pierce.

Barton also used just one pitcher in the loss going with freshman AnnaKate Gilchrist to start the game. Gilchrist gave up two hits, two walks, and two runs in her four innings of work while striking out a single batter. Her record falls to 3-5 on the season.

The Ravens were scheduled to play two games on the day, but due to weather conditions, the game against Brescia College was canceled. The two teams met yesterday in a close 2-1 win for Franklin Pierce.

The next game out for the Ravens is Friday, March 13th as they open up spring break on the road at The Spring Games in Winter Haven, Fla. With a matchup against the Cougars of Sioux Falls at 6:45 on Field D at the DiamondPlex.

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).