SALEM, Va. (March 15, 2014) – The Franklin Pierce
University softball team broke through in the win column for the
first time in 2014 on Saturday by splitting its doubleheader during
day two of the Salem Invitational in Salem, Va. The Ravens used a
stellar performance at the dish and in the pitching circle in game
one to take down Salem International, 7-0, but then came up just
short, 6-3, to Seton Hill in game two.
Sophomore Tricia Hansen
(Mansfield, Mass.) was outstanding in the pitching circle
for the Ravens versus Salem International, as she shook off a pair
of losses Friday with an efficient performance in the morning. She
retired six of the first seven batters she faced, and scattered
just four hits over seven innings of work to earn the complete-game
victory. Hansen struck out six and did not allow a walk.
She helped herself at the dish as
well with a hit, as it was part of a 10-hit attack for the Ravens,
who picked up where they left off Friday with a fine offensive
showing despite a tough 11-10 extra-innings loss to
Winston-Salem.
Erin Wood (Dover, N.Y.),
Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.), and Ashley Noke
(Cumberland, R.I.) each pounded out two hits, while
Megan Gardiner (Vernon, Conn.) knocked in three
runs to spark the attack. Both Wood and Noke scored two runs
apiece.
Franklin Pierce pushed a run across
in both the first (Wood RBI single scoring Courtney Caputo
(Stony Brook, N.Y.)) and second inning (Noke scored on
throwing error), and then exploded for three runs in the third to
blow the game open. Wood, Despres, and Noke laced three-straight
singles, and Karissa Forzese (Methuen, Mass.) drew
a bases loaded walk to force in Wood. Gardiner followed and roped a
two-run double to left field bringing home Despres and Noke.
The Ravens tacked on two more runs
in the seventh inning to complete the barrage, as Noke brought in
Wood on a fielder's choice, and Gardiner collected an RBI on
a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Melissa Morgan
(Clifton Park, N.Y.).
Franklin Pierce played well in game
two against Seton Hill, but could not carry the momentum all the
way in pulling out a win in the tough 6-3 setback.
Morgan Cahill (Saratoga
Springs, N.Y.) was 2-for-4 with a double, while
Mikaela Ballmer (Birdsboro, Pa.), Forzese, and
Morgan each drove in a run.
Franklin Pierce closes out play in
the Salem Invitational on Sunday with a pair of games versus
Mercyhurst at 9 a.m., and Walsh at 1 p.m.
For more information on Franklin
Pierce softball, please visit the team's page at http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu. To follow the program
even further, please visit Franklin Pierce Athletics on YouTube (www.youtube.com/FranklinPierceSports),
Twitter (www.twitter.com/FPUathletics)
and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens).
Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce softball apparel can do so
on the athletic department's online store at http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store(.)
