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Franklin Pierce
Swept By American International
RINDGE, N.H. (April 11, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce softball team was swept by American International College in Northeast-10 Conference action this afternoon at the Franklin Pierce Softball Field. The Ravens dropped the first game 11-0 before being edged in the nightcap, 1-0. American International pitchers, freshman Sara Puglisi (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam) and sophomore Megan Nickerson (Greenfield, Mass./Greenfield) kept the Ravens off balance all day, allowing three hits in game one and limiting the Ravens to only two hits in game two. Franklin Pierce sophomore Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) was solid offensively for the Ravens, notching one hit in each game, extending her hitting streak to eight games. In game one, American International took advantage of a Raven error to register five runs in the top half of the second inning. Yellow Jacket senior Nicole Sicilliano (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) was hit by a pitch to lead-off the inning. Freshman Ashley Deegan (Madison, Conn./Coginchaug) followed with base hit to right field, leaving runners on first and second. The next batter reached on a Raven error, allowing Sicilliano to score. Two consecutive Yellow Jacket singles and an RBI double by freshman Deanna Zanetti (Hampden, Mass./Minnechaug) gave American International the early 5-0 advantage. In the sixth inning, American International tacked on six more runs, which was capped by freshman Kellie Brown (Gil, Mass./Turner Falls) as she connected for her fifth homerun of the season, a grand slam over the right field fence. Franklin Pierce sophomore Lindsay Knapp (Elimira, N.Y./Notre Dame) suffered the loss for the Ravens, pitching five innings, allowing five runs, two earned on eight hits. Puglisi earned the win for the Yellow Jackets, tossing a complete game three-hitter while striking out four batters.
Batteries:
In game two, In game two, Franklin Pierce was limited to only two hits and stranded four runners on base as American International collected its eighth victory of the season. The Yellow Jackets notched one run on four hits, while stranding six runners on base. Franklin Pierce received a solid pitching performance from freshman Courtney Jacobs (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg). Jacobs tossed a complete game, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out eight. American International’s Nickerson hurled the complete game, scattering two hits and striking out seven. American International registered the lone run of the game during the top half of the sixth inning. Zanetti led-off the inning with a solo homerun over the right field fence to propel the Yellow Jackets to their second victory of the day. Franklin Pierce (7-12-1, 0-5-1 NE-10) will be in action tomorrow as it hosts Bryant University at 3:30 p.m. American International College (8-18, 5-3 NE-10) will be in action again on Thursday as it hosts Saint Michael’s College for a game at 3 p.m.
Batteries:
WP:
Nickerson (3-6) |
