Karissa Forzese collects RBI in each game

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(.)