Warner Southern Takes Two From Franklin Pierce
Ravens hindered by errors in both games of the doubleheader,
defeated 9-1 in game one, 8-4 in nightcap
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 24, 2006) – The Franklin Pierce softball team suffered two tough losses to Warner Southern College this evening on the final day of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Ravens were defeated 9-1 in game one before suffering an 8-4 setback in the nightcap.

In game one, Franklin Pierce struggled offensively, as the Ravens only scattered two hits within five innings of play. The Franklin Pierce was led by sophomore Lindsay Knapp (Elmira, N.Y./Nortre Dame) who belted her first homerun of the season.

Franklin Pierce opened with an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Knapp connected for a homerun, but Warner Southern blanked Franklin Pierce the rest of the game and took advantage of three Raven errors to score nine runs over the final four innings, extending its winning streak to ten games.

 Knapp suffered the loss for Franklin Pierce. She tossed a complete game, allowing nine runs, three earned, on nine hits and two walks while striking out three. Warner Southern junior Lindsey Bammann (Mulberry, Fla.) earned the win as she pitched a complete game, two hitter, allowing one run with one walk and two strikeouts.

Batteries:
FPC– Lindsay Knapp and Lauren Benson
WSC – Lindsey Bammann and Brittany Hines 

WP: Hines
LP: Knapp (2-2)

In game two, the Ravens had four different players register multiple hits. Junior Nicole Burk (Madison, Conn./Daniel Hand) and sophomore Jenna Giardina (Pittsfield, Mass./Taconic) each had two hits and one run scored, while freshmen Stephanie Howard (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) and Becky Savard (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) each chipped in with two hits apiece.

. Franklin Pierce opened the contest with an early 1-0 lead, as Knapp produced a sacrifice fly that plated Giardina for the first run of the game. In the top of the second frame, Warner Southern rallied to score two runs, but the rally was short-lived as the Ravens tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI single by sophomore Kate Surgen (Southampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional) in the bottom half.

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, Warner Southern added three runs in the top of the fifth and seventh innings to clinch the game. Franklin Pierce did not go quietly as the Ravens notched a pair of runs over the sixth and seventh innings.

In the sixth inning, Knapp reached based on an error and advanced to second on a pass-ball. Howard later singled, driving Knapp home for the Ravens third run of the game. In the seventh inning, the Ravens notched another run as Knapp produced an RBI single, driving home Savard who had singled earlier in the inning.

Franklin Pierce freshman Courtney Jacobs (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) suffered her third loss of the season. The rookie tossed a complete game, scattering nine hits, while yielding eight runs, three earned with one walk and ten strikeouts. Warner Southern freshman Jennifer Giles (Haines City, Fla.) recorded the win for the Royals, tossing all seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on ten hits, while striking out seven.

            Batteries:
WSC – Jennifer Giles and Amber Hardin
FP
– Courtney Jacobs and Kate Surgen

WP: Giles
LP: Jacobs (2-3)

 

Franklin Pierce (5-5) will be in action again on April 3^rd as it travels to Stonehill College for opening Northeast-10 Conference action at 3 p.m. Warner Southern College (19-9) will be in action again tomorrow as it takes on Wisconsin Superior in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.