GAME ONE: v. Mansfield University

Myrtle Beach, S.C (3/14/22) – It was the start to another busy day for Softball, as their trip to Myrtle Beach continued with a double-header series against Mansfield University, beginning early Monday morning at 9:30 AM E.T. In the first of two, the Ravens made it a tough climb for the Mountaineers, claiming the victory by a final score of 12-3 at the Fastpitch Dreams Stadium.

With the win, the Ravens remain undefeated and improve to 4-0, whereas Mansfield University falls to 1-2 on the year.

Similar to yesterdays matchup, nothing happened to the score until the 2^nd inning of the game. Junior catcher Hailey Melchert (Lake Orion, MI) was able to drive in a run off of a single to right field, with freshman Lita Vorseth (Mesa, AZ) in scoring position. With some luck on the Ravens side, the hit resulted in a fielding error by the Mountaineers, providing enough time for Vorseth to round third base and score, putting the Ravens ahead 1-0.

The score would remain such until the top of the 4^th inning, with senior Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, CA) and junior Melissa Konopinski (Butler, N.J) both scoring off of fielding errors committed by the Mountaineers infield. Through the bottom of the inning, however, Mansfield responded scoring three unanswered runs, pulling the score to a one run difference of 4-3.

After the Mansfield response, Franklin Pierce set up a response of their own during the early half of the 5^th inning. Hailey Melchert began the onslaught of runs by finding a gap in left field with her second hit of the day, scoring runners Lita Vorseth and Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA), while advancing Susannah Campos (Lemoore, CA) into scoring position at second base. Sophomore Hailey Bigwood (Athol, Mass.), in her first season with the Ravens, followed up by sending a ball to a dangerous spot in right-center field, scoring both Campos and Melchert while reaching third base herself. Melissa Konopinski, still with no outs, kept the ball rolling and scored Bigwood from third on a drive to left field, which was promptly followed by a single to the opposite side from senior Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, MA), bringing the lead to a nearly out of reach 10-3, still with no outs in the inning.

The Ravens worked the "mercy rule" on Mansfield in the top of the 6^th, scoring another two runs to bring them to the eight-run gap of 12-3. The first of the two runs belonged to Hailey Melchert, unearned, off of another fielding error by the Mountaineers. The second was the result of a triple from Melissa Konopinski, who matched her career high in hits in a single game (3).

From the mound, senior pitcher Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, AZ) got the start and pitched through four innings, striking out five batters. Abbey Primavera (Spring Hill, FL), relieved Gonzalez and threw through the final two innings, allowing just one hit while securing four more strikeouts. With the start, and win, Gonzalez improves to 2-0 this season.

GAME TWO: v. Mansfield University

Myrtle Beach, S.C (3/14/22) – Franklin Pierce, fresh off of their 12-3 triumph in game one of a doubleheader matchup with Mansfield University, didn't break their stride in game two. The bats went to work once again for the Ravens, defeating the Mountaineers 9-1, going two-for-two on the day.

Franklin Pierce remains perfect with a 5-0 overall record with the victory.

The Mansfield Mountaineers got on the board first in this one, taking an early 1-0 lead in the 1^st inning. The Ravens, as they have done, responded right away in the bottom half, with Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA) hitting her team leading third triple of the season, scoring sophomore Haley Bigwood (Athol, MA) from first base.

Entering the 3^rd inning after a scoreless 2^nd, the Ravens got back to work and gained the lead off of their second home run hit this season, a three-run shot over the fence from Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, MA).  Two batters, Melissa Konopinski (Butler, N.J) and Haley Bigwood found themselves on base after each hit a single to opposing outfields. Hinckley, who led the Ravens in home runs last season, took care of the rest.

Franklin Pierce would strike again in the 5^th inning, with first year Lita Vorseth (Mesa, AZ) making some personal history, picking up her first collegiate home run. With it being another three-run homer, Vorseth extending the Ravens lead to 7-1. Junior Hailey Melchert (Lake Orion, MI) would eventually bring the lead to 8-1, crossing home plate off of a sacrificial ground out to the shortstop from Ravens outfielder Alexis Briggs (Lockport, N.Y).

The Ravens once again iced it in the 6^th inning, going up by eight runs off of a Gina Hinckley double down the left field line, allowing for Haley Bigwood to score her third run of the game.

Abbey Primavera and Sabrina Gonzalez were bright spots once again for Franklin Pierce, with both players making appearances and stringing together the victory. This go-round, Primavera started the front end, pitching through four innings, allowing one earned run off of six hits and striking out three batters. Primavera 3-0 this season with the win.

The Ravens will continue with an evening matchup against University of St. Joseph (Conn.) at 5:30 PM E.T.

GAME THREE: v. University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut)

Looking to go three-for-three on their busy Sunday in South Carolina, the Franklin Pierce softball team did just that in dramatic fashion, besting the University of Saint Joseph Blue Jays 3-2 in extra innings.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 5-0 on the season. For the Blue Jays, it was their first loss of the young season, and are now 2-1.   

As compared to their earlier contests, this one was a close fought duel from start to finish. Both teams got it going early on in the contest, each scoring a run in the 1^st inning. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom half, sophomore infielder Haley Bigwood (Athol, MA) sparked the offense with a triple to right field. Just minutes later, senior Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, MA) sent a pop fly ball to left field, allotting enough time for Bigwood to tag up and score from third base, tying the game up at 1-1.

For a good remainder of the game, it was a straight pitching battle between the two teams. The score remained tied all the way through till the extra innings. Junior pitcher Madison Labrie (New Ipswich, N.H) received the nod for the start, appearing in her second game of the 2022 campaign. Labrie to say the least was locked in, shutting down the Blue Jays offense through six straight innings of play, remaining on the mound for the entire eight innings. Setting a new career high in innings pitched, Labrie allowed 1 earned run off of four hits allowed, as well as two strikeouts to secure her first win of the season. 

Fast forwarding to the 8^th inning, the Blue Jays reclaimed their lead by going up 2-1 early on. However, in similar fashion to what occurred in the first inning, Franklin Pierce would not go away without a fight. The final triumph was set by freshman Anna Erikson (Temecula, CA) who, with a runner at first & third base, sent a hard drive down the left field line and delivered the tying RBI for Franklin Pierce, and a chance for a winning run now at third base. A matter of minutes later, after a swap of runners at first base, Hailey Bigwood returned to the plate to play hero. With runners at the corners, she wasted no time and sent the first pitch deep into right-center field, over the head of the right fielder, walking it off for Franklin Pierce.

The Ravens conclude the day 3-0, and will be back in action looking for a complete sweep of the Myrtle Beach trip, with two morning matchups versus Mount Aloysius College at 9:30 AM E.T and Lycoming College at 11:30 AM E.T.