RINDGE, N.H. (April 20, 2021) – Just two days after the Franklin Pierce University softball team split a doubleheader on the road with the No. 14 nationally ranked Saint Anselm College Hawks, the Ravens were giving their in-state rivals trouble again on Tuesday. This time, the two met at the Bisaccia Softball Field at Franklin Pierce, and once again, the Ravens avenged a first-game loss with a second-game win. In the front end, senior Kat Stackrow went 4-for-4, scored twice and drove in three to lead the way in an 11-1, five-inning win for the Hawks. In the nightcap, senior right-hander Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) chucked a three-hitter, and freshman Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, Mass.) went 2-for-2 with a double and a triple, as the Ravens put together a 2-1 victory.

With the split in Northeast-10 Conference play, Franklin Pierce's record moved to 10-6 (9-5 NE10), while Saint Anselm's now stands at 16-4 (13-3 NE10). The two teams split their four-game regular-season series, and Franklin Pierce has now accounted for half of the losses for the nationally-ranked Hawks on the season.

Game 1: Saint Anselm 11, Franklin Pierce 1 (5 innings)

Saint Anselm had the bats working early in the first game and scored four runs in the top of the first inning on five hits and two errors. The top of the second was just as much of a struggle for Ravens pitching, which gave up six more runs on five hits. Saint Anselm sent all nine hitters to the plate in both innings, and senior Abbie Murrell provided the keynote address in the second, with a two-run blast well over the fence in left to push the Hawks' lead out to 10-0.

Franklin Pierce would be able to get a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning to avoid the shutout. Freshman Maleena Davis (Tehachapi, Calif.) reached base on a walk and advanced to third on a Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) double. Sophomore Ari Rodriguez (Clinton, Mass.) reached base on a fielding error, which also allowed Davis to cross home plate and the Ravens to get on the board.

Freshman right-hander Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, Ariz.) started the game in the circle for the Ravens, and suffered the loss (0-4). In one inning of work, she surrendered four runs (three earned) on five hits. Senior right-hander Morgan Perry (10-0) started, tossed three scoreless innings, allowed one hit and struck out six without issuing a walk en route to the win for Saint Anselm.

Game 2: Franklin Pierce 2, Saint Anselm 1

The second game started much differently for the Ravens, with Zemaitis in the circle. She retired the first 10 batters she faced, which helped take the pressure off the offense long enough for the bats to wake up.

Franklin Pierce took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Graduate student Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.) reached base after being hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Cangiano then belted a ball to the left-field fence for an RBI double.

The Ravens doubled their lead in the fourth inning. Rego scored her second run of the game, though this one would be unearned. She led off with a single back through the middle, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rodriguez, went to third on a passed ball and scored when senior Ashley Rosario (Queensbury, N.Y.) bounced into a fielder's choice.

The Hawks would not go away easily, as they scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Kylie Fitzpatrick led off with a double into the gap in right-center and came all the way around to score when junior Bre Klaiber reached on an error by Rosario at second. Saint Anselm ultimately got the tying run to second base, but Zemaitis stranded her out there, as she struck out freshman Gracie O'Hara to end things.

Zemaitis (7-1) needed just 87 pitches (59 strikes) to dispatch the Hawks. She allowed just the one unearned run on three hits, did not issue a walk and struck out four. Sophomore McKenna Smith (3-2) went the distance on 111 pitches (67 strikes) for the Hawks. She surrendered two runs (one earned) on six hits, walked three, hit a batter and struck out six.

The Ravens are scheduled to return to action on Thursday, April 22, when they host Bentley in a doubleheader at 3 p.m.