Easton, Mass. (4/27/22) – Franklin Pierce University Softball kicked off their season closing road trip with a conference doubleheader at Stonehill College. Late defensive miscues ended up costing the Ravens in an opening game 3-2 walk-off loss to the Skyhawks, but a huge response with an eight-run third inning propelled the Ravens to a 10-3 victory to earn a split in the twin bill.

 Franklin Pierce moves to 26-8 (14-8 NE10) following the split, with Stonehill moving to 14-22 (10-14 NE10).

Game One:

The Ravens took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning, quickly putting runners at first and second before a two-out single to right field from senior Allie Martinez (Upland, Calif.) provided enough time for runner to cross the plate.

The focus shifted slightly following the first inning, with both teams battening down the hatches defensively. Through the next three innings, the Skyhawks would out-hit the Ravens 3-1 but fail to even the score, leaving five runners stranded. Entering the fifth inning, Franklin Pierce eventually cashed in off a solo home run to center field from graduate Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.), her conference leading 10^th home run of the season to put the Ravens ahead 2-0.

However, the defensive stronghold did not last for the Ravens entering the final inning of play, with Stonehill coming from behind with three quick runs to walk it off. A trio of consecutive Skyhawk singles quickly put the Ravens in a bind, resulting in Stonehill's first run of the game off of a walk. With no outs in the inning, freshman Shannon Conte plated the game's tying run with another single to left field. The final dagger was yet another single through to center field, with the walk-off RBI belonging to sophomore infielder Alexandra Hammond.  

Sophomore Abbey Poirot (Winstead, Conn.) started in the circle for the fourth time this season, tossing four scoreless innings with four hits allowed and three strikeouts. Senior Abbey Primavera (Spring Hill, Fla.) entered in relief with two innings pitched, with no hits allowed. Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, Ariz.) attempted to close it out for Franklin Pierce, but was met with a fierce final inning from Stonehill, allowing five hits with three runs scored.

Game Two:

Stonehill attempted to pick up where they left off in the closing contest, gained a 2-0 advantage through the first two inning thanks to an RBI single from Courtney Brochu and a wild pitch pass run from Alexandra Hammond.  

The Ravens struck gold in the third inning, stringing together an onslaught of their own with eight unanswered runs beginning with a three RBI double from Allie Martinez (Upland, Calif.) In the next at bat, sophomore Haley Bigwood (Athol, Mass.) connected for her first collegiate home run, scoring another pair of runs in the process. With a 5-2 lead now in hand, outfielder Ari Rodriguez (Clinton, Mass.) made sure the fire remained hot with an RBI double up the middle, only to eventually cross home plate herself on a Stonehill fielding error. Freshman Lita Vorseth (Mesa, Ariz.) delivered the final run of the inning for Franklin Pierce with another single to center field, scoring Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, Calif.) from second base.

The eight-run outburst proved enough for the Ravens for the remainder of the game, with the Skyhawks managing one last run scored in the bottom of the fourth inning from a Shannon Conte solo homer. The Ravens added some insurance runs in the sixth inning, with Gina Hinckely (Lancaster, Mass.) going yard for the second time on the afternoon with a solo home run, picking her spot in center field yet again. With two outs in the inning Haley Bigwood added another RBI on the day with a double to left field, scoring baserunner Allie Martinez to finalize the score.

Junior Madison Labrie (New Ipswich, N.H.) claimed her third win of the season in her first start since April 5th, allowing two runs on five hits, with a season high three strikeouts through five innings pitched. Abbey Primavera (Spring Hill, Fla.) returned to the circle in relief for game two, going lights-out through another four innings pitched, allowing two hits with five total strikeouts.

Softball remains on the road to close out the regular season, with their next stop at Assumption College coming up this Friday, April 29^th. The opening game of the doubleheader will begin at 3 PM, with the closing game scheduled to start at 5PM.