|
Franklin Pierce
Splits Doubleheader in Florida
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce softball team split a pair of games on the third day of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Ravens improved to a program best, 5-0 record, by defeating Northeast-10 Conference foe Southern Connecticut State University, 3-2 in nine innings earlier in the day before being edged, 4-2 by The College of Wooster in the nightcap. In game one, Franklin Pierce received key offensive production from freshman Stephanie Howard (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) and sophomore Amanda Lewis (Stamford, Conn./Westhill). Lewis notched a game tying RBI single late in the eighth inning to keep the Ravens alive, while Howard registered the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. Franklin Pierce and Southern Connecticut State University battled through seven scoreless innings, until the Owls broke the silence with one run in the top of the eighth frame. The Ravens rallied back as Lewis hit an RBI single to plate freshman Elaine Matthews (Roslindale, Mass./Archbishop Williams), knotting the game at 1-1. Southern Connecticut plated one more run in the top of the ninth inning, yet Franklin Pierce would rally late again to score two runs and secure the victory. With two outs, Howard notched the game-winning hit to the outfield as freshman Jackie Prybella (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) scored the game-winning run. Sophomore Lindsay Knapp (Elmira, N.Y./Notre Dame) tossed all nine innings for the Ravens, allowing only three hits. Knapp did not allow an earned run in the game, while striking out two and walking one batter to improve to 2-0 on the season. Southern Connecticut senior Kelly Brenner (Hamden, Conn./Hamden) suffered the loss, yielding two runs, none earned, on one hit and one walk in one inning pitched.
Batteries:
In game two, Franklin Pierce was led offensively by junior captain Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington), Prybella and Matthews. The three combined for three of the Ravens five hits. McConnell and Prybella each contributed a RBI double, while Matthews pitched in with a double too. Franklin Pierce held an early 2-0 advantage as McConnell and Prybella drove in the only two Raven runs during the third inning. Wooster rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth inning after being blanked for the first five innings of the game. Wooster opened the sixth inning with a leadoff single and advanced the runner on a sacrifice bunt. After a fly out to right field, the Fighting Scots took advantage of two Raven errors to string together four runs all with two outs. Freshman Courtney Jacobs (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) suffered the loss as she went the distance for the Ravens. She allowed four runs, two earned, on seven hits, while walking one and striking out a season-high ten batters in seven innings of work. Wooster junior Alli Hall (Shaker Hts, Ohio/Shaker Hts.) picked up the win for the Fighting Scots, while junior Lauren Schruer (Grand Rapids, Mich./E. Grand Rapids) picked up the save in relief.
Batteries:
WP:
Hall Franklin Pierce (5-1) will be in action again on Thursday as it travels to No. 17 ranked, in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, Florida Gulf Coast for a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. |
