Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa

RINDGE, N.H (4/11/2024) – Ten innings and 29 runs is how the Franklin Pierce University softball teams spent their Thursday afternoon. The team grabbed a pair of mercy rule victories over the Queens College Knights and improved to 15-9 on the season.  

Score (Game 1): Franklin Pierce 20, Queens 3 (F/5 Innings)
Score (Game 2): Franklin Pierce 9, Queens 1 (F/5 Innings)
Records: Franklin Pierce (15-9, 4-4 NE-10), Queens (10-15, 4-2 ECC) 
Location: Rindge, N.H (Melissa Bisaccia Field)
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, Queens scored two runs in the top of the first. Senior first baseman Jenny Murphy homered for the fourth time this season. In the bottom of the first, Franklin Pierce erupted with four runs of their own to take a 4-2 lead. Senior catcher Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA) had a 2 RBI double, scoring junior outfielder Bella Williams (Phoenix, AZ) and senior infielder Haley Bigwood (Athol, MA). Next, freshman designated player Georgia Clough (Barriere, British Columbia) advanced to third on a passed ball, and Cangiano scored. Then, sophomore outfielder Amy Jones (San Diego, CA) reached first base on an error, and Clough scored from third base. 

• In the bottom of the second, Clough singled to center field for her second hit of the game, scoring Williams to make it 5-2 Franklin Pierce. Freshman catcher Charlit Hartenstein (Massapequa, NY) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Clough to give the Ravens a 6-2 lead. Junior first baseman Anna Erikson (Temecula, CA) had a 2 RBI triple, scoring Hartenstein and junior infielder Lita Vorseth (Mesa, AZ) to make it 8-2. 

• The Franklin Pierce Ravens scored six runs in the third and fourth innings to take game one over Queens 20-3. The 20 runs by the Ravens were the most scored in a single game this season. 

• In Game 2, Queens scored the first run in the top of the first on a wild pitch. In the bottom of the first, Vorseth reached first on an error and Cangiano scored from third to tie the game at one. 

• In the bottom of the fourth, the Ravens scored eight runs. The rally began when Williams had an RBI double, scoring Bigwood to make it 2-1. Next, Cangiano had a two-run shot to left center field for her fourth home run of the season. Erikson had a 2 RBI single, scoring Jones and senior infielder Molly Magnette (Ayer, MA). Finally, Bigwood had an RBI triple, scoring sophomore outfielder Andie Anderson (Phoenix, AZ), and then Bigwood stole home to make it 9-1 Franklin Pierce. The Ravens improved to 15-9 on the season. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, senior pitcher Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, AZ) pitched four innings and picked up her seventh win of the season. She gave up six hits, three runs, one walk, one homerun, and struck out two batters. Sophomore pitcher Savannah Arreguin (Pacoima, CA) pitched one scoreless inning in relief, gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out one batter. 

• Franklin Pierce outhit Queens 18-7. The Knights had six errors and left four runners on base. 

• Bigwood went 2 for 4 and scored two runs. Williams went 2 for 2 and scored three runs. Clough went 2 for 2 with an RBI and scored two runs. Senior catcher Jenna Murray (Wilbraham, MA) went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and scored a run. Vorseth went 2 for 4 and scored three runs. Erikson went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and scored a run. 

• In Game 2, Clough pitched a complete game and captured her first career win. She pitched five innings, gave up two hits, one run, three walks, and struck out a season-high eight batters. 

• Franklin Pierce outhit Queens 10-2. The Knights had five errors and left five runners on base. 

• Clough went 3 for 3 and scored a run. Cangiano went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and scored two runs. Bigwood went 1 for 3 with an RBI and scored two runs. 

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: 

• The Ravens remain at home for a doubleheader as they take on American International College on Saturday, April 13. Game one is at noon, followed by game two at 2 p.m.