Franklin Pierce Takes Two  
Ravens off to first 4-0 start in program history
Ravens run past Saint Joseph 15-0, defeat Mount Mercy 10-2 in nightcap

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 20, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce softball team continued its winning ways, sweeping both games on the second day of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Ravens defeated Saint Joseph’s College of New York 15-0 in game one before topping Mount Mercy College 10-2 in the nightcap. Franklin Pierce has won their first four games for the first time in the program's NCAA era (1988-89).  

In game one, Franklin Pierce was led by sophomore Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) who registered two hits, including a double and a triple, and scored three runs. Freshman Elaine Matthews (Roslindale, Mass./Archbishop Williams) was also solid in the Raven win, going 2-for-4 at the plate and driving in two runs.

Franklin Pierce took advantage of 12 walks issued by Saint Joseph pitchers. The Ravens opened up an early lead, scoring seven runs within the first two innings and eventually putting the game away with a six run, third inning.

In the third frame, freshman Jen Ryan (Winthrop, Mass./Winthrop) and sophomore Lauren Bentson (Boston, Mass./Fontbonne Academy) lead off with consecutive walks. Giardina laid down a bunt single to load the bases and freshman Becky Savard (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) was walked which forced home a run. Sophomore Lindsay Knapp (Elmira, N.Y./Notre Dame) connected for a RBI single to score Benson, while junior captain Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington) and freshman Shannon Force (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) both received walks to bring home two more Raven runs.

  Franklin Pierce sophomore Becky Aalto (Hubbardston, Mass./Gardner) started the game for the Ravens, pitching two innings while allowing no runs and no hits. Classmate Amanda Lewis (Stamford, Conn./Westhill) pitched the final three innings of the game for the Ravens to earn the victory, allowing only three hits and striking out three. Saint Joseph sophomore Ryan Vasquez (Margaretville Central) suffered the loss for the Lady Bears.

Batteries:
FP
– Becky Aalto, Amanda Lewis and Lauren Benson
SJC – Ryan Vasquez, Carissa Cancemi and Courtney Leja 

 

WP: Lewis (1-0)
LP: Vasquez

In game two, Franklin Pierce was led offensively by sophomore Nicole Leary (Hanover, Mass./Hanover), who went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Giardina was also productive at the plate, going 2-for-4 with one run batted in while Knapp chipped in with a 2-for-3 outing and one run batted in.

Franklin Pierce trailed Mount Mercy College 2-1 after three and half innings of play, but would rally for three runs in the fourth inning and six runs in the fifth in to complete the two game sweep.

In the fifth inning, freshman Stephanie Howard (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) led off by reaching on an error. Junior Nicole Burk (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) moved Howard to second on a sacrifice bunt and Lewis followed with an RBI double to start the six run, fifth inning explosion by Franklin Pierce.

Freshman Courtney Jacobs (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) went the distance for the Ravens, tossing her second complete-game in as many days. Jacobs scattered seven hits, while allowing two earned runs and striking out six. Mount Mercy junior Courtney Sellon (Mason City, Iowa/NIACC) suffered the loss for Mustangs.

            Batteries:
MM – Courtney Sellon and Abby Oelmann
FP
– Courtney Jacobs and Kate Surgen

WP: Jacobs (2-0)
LP: Sellon Myers

Franklin Pierce (4-0) continues its run in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic tomorrow as it takes on Northeast-10 conference foe Southern Connecticut State University at 9 a.m. followed by a game with The College of Wooster at 1 p.m.