COLCHESTER, Vt. (April 10, 2018) – The Franklin Pierce University softball team continued their long road swing as they were done in by Northeast-10 Conference opponent Saint Michael's College 3-0 and 3-2 during a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader at Doc Jacobs Field. The losses were the Ravens 16th overall and ninth in league play while the Purple Knights won their sixth overall duel and third conference showdown.

Game One: Purple Knights 3, Ravens 0 (Final)

The Ravens could only muster four hits in the ballgame, as they were shut down by Saint Michael's starting hurler Danielle Brown. Brown tossed a complete game while striking out 11 Ravens and hitting three batters. Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) started in the circle for the Crimson and Grey and she went the distance allowing three runs, on six hits, walking two batters and striking out five.

Shortstop Allison Shaw (Bakersfield, Calif.) the hero of the Ravens extra-inning walk-off victory at New Haven Sunday, went 1-for-3 (.333) at the dish with a stolen base.

Franklin Pierce looked to crack the scoring column early in the top half of the first inning. Brown plunked the leadoff batter Bre Eastlick (Rocklin, Calif.) and she immediately moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Shaw followed with a single to third and Eastlick advanced closer to home putting runners at the corners with no outs. With Aubrey Bianco (Marlboro, N.Y.) batting, Shaw completed a theft of second base putting the Ravens in prime position for a first-inning offensive explosion. However, Brown sent Bianco and the next two batters back to the dugout via strikeouts to end the Raven threat.

A pitcher's duel ensued over the course of the next few innings with only three total runners reaching scoring position. The hosts struck for a three-spot in the bottom of the sixth inning with two away. Purple Knights shortstop Hayley Craddock roped a double to center field. The next batter, Chandler Wilder drove home her teammate with a single to left and the run scored on a Raven fielding error. Torie Rathwell and Fallon Tierney chipped in RBI singles to center to close the two-out SMC scoring.

The Ravens tried to rally in the top of the seventh as Jaclyn Cortese (Upton, Mass.) and Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) stroked singles and moved up a base after a passed ball. Brown worked out of the jam getting a pop-out to short and two called third strikes to finish off her impressive outing.

Game Two: Purple Knights 3, Ravens 2 (Final)

Amelia Mamone (Wynantskill, N.Y.) started the nightcap for the Ravens and she pitched seven innings allowing three runs – one earned, one walk and punched out four batters. Brown was the game two starter, but she only threw two innings before being relieved by Rathwell who scattered two hits over the remaining five frames.

Bianco and Eastlick each were 1-for-3 (.333) at the dish with Bianco chipping in a two-bagger and a run scored.

SMC's right fielder Julia Sevigny opened the top of the second singling through the left side of the infield. Brown reached base following a throwing error by Mamone putting runners at second and third with no outs. The Purple Knights tried a safety squeeze but were gunned down at the plate for the first out. Another throwing miscue from Mamone loaded the bases until a fielder's choice by Craddock brought home a run. The Ravens third error of the inning led to the second and final run of the frame as Pierce trailed 2-0 early on.

Over the course of the next half inning, the Crimson and Grey knotted the score at 2-2. Bianco drove in Conway via a double to right field. Bianco was eventually driven in off an Eastlick single to center. Ashley Rosario (Queensbury, N.Y.) rocked a single straight through the middle to advance Eastlick to second, but Shaw popped up to third before the Ravens could scratch across the go-ahead run.

The designated away team took a 3-2 edge in the top of the sixth as second basemen Aleksandra Apkarian singled down the right-field line which would turn out to be the difference-making run.

The Ravens remain away from campus on Thursday when they take on conference opponent Le Moyne at 3:00 and 5:00 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). You can also follow the softball team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/fFPUSoftball_) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpu_ravens_softball).