MANCHESTER, N.H. (March 30, 2016) – The Franklin Pierce University softball team was shutout twice on Wednesday afternoon by No. 21 nationally ranked Southern New Hampshire in a Northeast-10 Conference, Northeast Division doubleheader at SNHU Softball Field. Penmen pitching held the Ravens to just three hits in each game on the way to 6-0 and 3-0 victories.

With the losses, Franklin Pierce falls to 5-12 (1-4 Northeast-10, 1-4 Northeast Division), while Southern New Hampshire improves to 13-5 (5-1 Northeast-10, 4-0 Northeast Division). The two teams are scheduled to wrap up the three-game season series on April 5 at Franklin Pierce.

In the first game, SNHU took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman catcher Erin Garczynski took a walk with two outs and came all the way around to score when senior third baseman Katie Caruso followed with her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field.

The Penmen added on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to double the lead to 4-0. In the fourth, sophomore shortstop Brittany Perdigao reached on an infield single leading off, went first-to-third on a single to left-center by sophomore pitcher Sarah Lavallee and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by junior right fielder Jessica Torsiello. In the fifth, Garczynski bounced into a fielder's choice, moved to second while Caruso reached on an error, took third on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Lavallee.

Two more runs in the bottom of the sixth created the 6-0 final. Senior center fielder Mo Hannan walked and senior second baseman Lindsey Bolduc reached on a fielder's choice in front of Caruso, who clubbed a two-run double into the gap in left-center.

Senior right-hander Tricia Hansen (Mansfield, Mass.) threw the first 4.2 innings in the circle for the Ravens. She allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, walked one and struck out three while taking the loss (5-3).

Meanwhile, Lavallee (8-2) fired a three-hit shutout on the rubber for SNHU, walking one and striking out six along the way.

In the second game, SNHU got the only run it would need in the bottom of the first inning. Hannan singled through the middle leading off, but was erased at second two batters later, as Garczynski reached on a fielder's choice. The latter went first-to-third on a Caruso single and later scored an unearned run as Perdigao reached on an error.

The Penmen doubled the lead to 2-0 with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Bolduc singled to left leading off, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Garczynski, took third on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI double to center by Caruso.

SNHU tacked on another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to create the 3-0 final. Torsiello took a leadoff walk, took both second and third on wild pitches and later scored while Hannan reached on an error.

Senior right-hander Mandi Adee (Kinderhook, N.Y.) threw a complete-game six-hitter, but took the loss (0-5) for Franklin Pierce in the second game. Over six innings, she allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, walked three and threw three wild pitches.

Junior right-hander Nicole Gubellini (4-3) fired the second three-hit shutout of the day for SNHU on the other side of the ledger. She did not issue a walk, hit two batters and struck out three.

The Ravens return to the field on Thursday, March 31, when they host Assumption to close out the three-game season series with the Greyhounds. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at the Bisaccia Softball Complex in Rindge.

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).