RINDGE, N.H. (April 3, 2015) – The Franklin Pierce University softball team had a tough time finding themselves out front on Friday afternoon, as the Merrimack College Warriors combined for a total of 10 runs in the first two innings between the two games. The Ravens were defeated by a score of 4-3 in nine innings in game one, and 10-6 in game two.

With the losses, the Ravens now move their record to 1-3 overall (1-2 Northeast-10) while Merrimack improves to 9-12 (2-1 Northeast-10).

Game one had a start that looked like it was going to get out of hand quick. Junior Mandi Adee (Kinderhook, N.Y.) took to the circle and gave up a leadoff single to Mariah Tenney who advanced to second on a throwing error. That was followed by a single from Sammy Waskowitz to score Tenney from second, giving Merrimack the 1-0 lead. Then, Kaleigh Finigan stepped into a 1-1 pitch from Adee and planted it over the fence to give Merrimack a 3-0 early lead. Adee was able to calm things down after that and scatter only four more hits until the seventh.

The Ravens were able to strike in the second, as junior Courtney Caputo (Stony Brook, N.Y.) led off the inning with a double, and moved to third on a single by junior Morgan Cahill (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.). Cahill would then steal second, and as the throw went to second, Caputo broke for the plate and scored by beating the relay back to the plate.

The score would remain 3-1 through the middle innings until junior Erin Wood (Dover Plains, N.Y.) stepped up in the bottom of the fifth and delivered a game-tying double to the right field gap, scoring both senior Alicia Dean (Danvers, Mass.) and graduate student Jamie Wiley (Cape Vincent, N.Y.) after each reached base.

The deadlock would hold into extra innings, and both teams would survive through a pitching change. Junior Tricia Hansen (Mansfield, Mass.) would enter the game into the seventh, and keep things settled down. However, things wouldn't hold for long, as the ninth brought the Ravens heartbreak. Stephanie Lapierre led off the top of the ninth with a triple for Merrimack. Morgan Phipps would then put down a squeeze bunt that played right back to Hansen. She fired wide at first, allowing Lapierre to score from third and give the Warriors all the lead they would need to take the win.

In game two, the Ravens would turn to freshman Aubrey Bianco (Marlboro, N.Y.) making her collegiate debut in the circle. However to her misfortune, Merrimack would jump right in with offense again, claiming one run in the first, and notching six runs in the second to take an early 7-0 lead. However, a key play would come from Wiley in left field, gunning down a runner at the plate on a base hit by Megan Cook, which could have opened the flood gates. Bianco would give way to fellow freshman Jenna Rodriguez (New Egypt, N.J.) who also made her debut in crimson and grey. Rodriguez would be one of the keys to keeping the game close as it progressed.

Facing a 7-0 deficit, the Ravens didn't fade and roll over. Wiley would start things up in the bottom of the second, collecting an infield single and proceeding to steal a base. It would be a throwing error from the shortstop off a ground ball from Wood that would score Wiley and get the Ravens on the board.

Franklin Pierce would tack on two more in the third, as junior Julie Gallagher (Flanders, N.J.) led off with a single, followed by a double into left by freshman Cassidy Sorenson (Billerica, Mass.). Both would end up scoring on back-to-back outs by Dean and Hansen to cut the lead to within four runs, 7-3.

After Merrimack added one more in the fifth to make the game 8-3, Sorenson would step up again. Another double and preceding to steal third would set her up to score on a ground ball out by Dean, cutting the lead to four once again, 8-4.

In the sixth, the Ravens would come as close as they could, as they scored one more to make the score 8-5. A leadoff single by Caputo and stealing second base moments later would set up a pinch hit double from sophomore Mikaela Ballmer (Birdsboro, Pa.).

The Warriors had other thoughts, however, as they answered with two more of their own in the top of the seventh, opening up the lead back to five runs, 10-5. An RBI single by senior Karissa Forzese (Methuen, Mass.) in the bottom of the seventh would be the last bit the Ravens would get, dropping the contest 10-6.

The standout for the Ravens was Sorenson, who combined for four doubles and a walk, while Caputo and Cahill would collect three hits in their own respects. Gallagher would also chip in with a multi-hit day with two.

In the circle, game one's win would go to Thursday's game one winner, Haley Currie, while the loss fell into the hands of Hansen. In game two, Bianco would take the loss, while Alexis Perry would collect the win for the Warriors.

The Ravens now return to action for their first road game of the season this Tuesday, April 7 as they travel to Manchester, N.H. to take on Southern New Hampshire University for one game starting at 4 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce softball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).