RINDGE, N.H. (April 18, 2015) – On a day where it was about the past meeting the present at Melissa Bisaccia Memorial Softball Complex, luck didn't fall in the way of the home team as the Franklin Pierce University Ravens got swept in a two game doubleheader at the hands of the Bentley University Falcons by final scores of 8-5 and 3-1.

With the losses, the Ravens now drop to 5-14 overall (5-13 Northeast-10) while Bentley improves to 7-14 overall (4-8 Northeast-10).

The Ravens honored three of its players before the game, as grad student Jamie Wiley (Cape Vincent, N.Y.), and seniors Alicia Dean (Danvers, Mass.) and Karissa Forzese (Methuen, Mass.) were center stage for the day.

While on the field, game one looked as if it was going to fall in favor of Franklin Pierce early on. The Ravens struck first, as junior Tricia Hansen (Mansfield, Mass.) found her way around the bases after reaching on a single, and ultimately stealing home with a little help from Wiley to give the Ravens a 1-0 lead.

Bentley took a slight advantage in the top of the third inning, as a triple by Kelsey Kennedy scored two runs. Franklin Pierce responded by cashing in four runs with a string of two singles and two hit by pitches. Wiley started the inning off with a single into center field, before both juniors Erin Wood (Dover Plains, N.Y.) and Morgan Cahill (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) each got hit by a pitch to load the bases for freshman Samantha Bonvino (Milford, Mass.).

After a wild pitch to score Wiley, Bonvino would single through the left side to score Wood, giving the Ravens a 3-2 lead. Another wild pitch would score pinch runner Jillian Ostrander (Glens Falls, N.Y.) to make the score 4-2 before the craziest play of the day.

With Bonvino at third and two out, Dean would draw a walk. She wouldn't stop at first, but rather continue running to second. As Bentley pitcher Kelsey Smith realized what was happening, she would spin and throw to second base to get Dean. However, on the throw Bonvino would break from third, and the throw home would be too late before Dean would get tagged out going to third. The Ravens then controlled the game, 5-2.

The score would stand until the top of the seventh, as the Ravens stood three outs away from victory. Freshman pitcher Aubrey Bianco (Marlboro, N.Y.), who came into the game in relief of junior Mandi Adee (Kinderhook, N.Y.) in the third inning, found herself in a tough spot. Bentley would reach consecutive base runners before an out was recorded. Six total runs would cross the plate, and the Ravens would go 1-2-3 in the seventh for the 8-5 loss.

Game two brought even less luck, as the Ravens were only able to scrounge up one run while scattering seven hits. A sacrifice fly from junior Courtney Caputo (Stony Brook, N.Y.) would score Cahill in the second inning to tie the game at 1-1 after Bentley scored one in the top of the second. The Falcons would take the lead in the fourth, and tack on an insurance run in the seventh to take the win.

Kelsey Smith would take the game one win for Bentley, while the loss went to Bianco. In game two, Kelly Ferris would outduel Hansen in the circle, as both pitchers went the distance. The result would fall in favor of Ferris, with the loss going to Hansen.

The Ravens return to action tomorrow, Sunday, April 19, as the travel to Connecticut to take on Bridgeport in a double header starting at 1 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' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).