Jacobs, Johnson team to allow just three runs in 15 innings

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

RINDGE, N.H. (April 16, 2009) – Senior pitcher Courtney Jacobs (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) tossed a six-hitter, allowed just two runs (one earned) and struck out six on Thursday afternoon to lead the Franklin Pierce University softball team to a 4-2 victory in the first game of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader against Merrimack at Franklin Pierce Softball Field. Merrimack won the second game, 1-0, on the strength of a home run in the eighth inning by sophomore third baseman Kelsey Ellis (Vancouver, British Columbia).

Franklin Pierce opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, freshman center fielder Jayme Bilafer (Concord, Mass./Concord-Carlisle) grounded a single up the middle, but was subsequently erased at second base as senior designated player Elaine Matthews (Roslindale, Mass./Archbishop Williams) reached on a fielder’s choice. Matthews came all the way around from first to score when senior left fielder Jackie Prybella (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield) lined a double over the head of the Merrimack right fielder. Prybella would later score as freshman third baseman Meaghan O’Neal (Littleton, Mass./Littleton) reached when the shortstop dropped a pop-up.

Merrimack cut the deficit in half with an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning. Ellis led off with a single to left field and ended up on second base as the ball escaped Prybella in left field. Ellis scored when senior first baseman Jill Gagnon (Manchester, N.H./Manchester) followed with a double over third base and down the left-field line.

Franklin Pierce extended the lead to 4-1 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bilafer led off with a double down the left-field line. From there, the sun would wreak havoc with the right fielder. Two batters later, Prybella lifted a fly ball to straightaway right that was lost in the sun and turned into an RBI double as Bilafer scored. Senior shortstop Stephanie Howard (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) followed with a sun-induced double of her own closer to the right-field line to drive home Prybella.

Merrimack picked up a run in the top of the seventh inning to create the 4-2 final. Freshman Kasey Smith (Abbotsford, British Columbia) pinch-hit and led off with a double into the right-center field gap before being lifted for a pinch runner, junior Emily Cummings (Andover, Mass./Andover). Cummings stole third and scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore catcher Kara Melillo (North Andover, Mass./North Andover).

Jacobs tossed a six-hitter to pick up the win (3-11) in the circle in the first game for Franklin Pierce. Over seven innings, she gave up two runs (one earned), walked one, threw a wild pitch and struck out six.

Senior Vicky Cotter (Hampton, N.H./Winnacunnet) started in the circle and took the loss (6-5) for Merrimack. Over 4.1 innings, she surrendered four runs (three earned) on five hits, walked four and struck out two.

Pitching carried the day in the second game of the day, as neither team could find a run and each recorded just six hits through seven innings. However, in the top of the eighth inning, Merrimack broke through for the game’s only run Ellis lined a one-out solo home run, her fifth of the season, to straightaway center field.

Sophomore pitcher Kayla Johnson (Hudson, N.H./Alvirne) went the distance in the circle for Franklin Pierce in the second game. Over eight innings, she surrendered one run on eight hits, did not issue a walk and struck out six, but was saddled with the loss (0-7).

Junior Atlee Cahill (Gloucester, Mass./Gloucester) fired a shutout on the rubber for Merrimack. She allowed just six hits, walked one, threw a wild pitch and did not tally a strikeout.

The Ravens (5-23, 1-13 Northeast-10) return to the field on Saturday, April 18, when they travel to Le Moyne for a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex in Syracuse, N.Y. Franklin Pierce next plays at home on April 21 against Southern Connecticut State at 3 p.m. Merrimack (21-13, 14-6 Northeast-10) returns to action on April 18 at home against Saint Anselm.