RINDGE, N.H. (April 27, 2018) – Franklin Pierce University softball freshman starting pitcher Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) shutout Northeast-10 Conference opponent Merrimack College 1-0 Friday afternoon on Martone-Mejail Field. With the win, the Ravens topped double-digit victories for the third time in the past five years and collected their seventh conference win while the host Warriors drop to 29-12, 16-9 NE10.

Zemaitis was dominant allowing only four base runners off two singles, a hits batsman and a fielding miscue. The newcomer tossed her 12th complete game in 16 starts collecting her seventh victory. She punched out 11 batters, which was her fifth double-digit strikeout game of the season while her earned run average dropped to 1.89.

Her counterpart, Megan Cook was less fortunate as she took only her fourth setback of the season hurling seven complete frames allowing only five hits, one walk while sending six batters back to the dugout via strikeout. Ravens number three hitter and centerfielder Cassidy Sorenson (Billerica, Mass.) notched two hits and the only run scored in the showdown.

The lone run in the ballgame came in the top of the first as Sorenson pulled a two-out single through the left side. The next batter, Jaclyn Cortese (Upton, Mass.) stroked a 2-2 offering into left field for a double, which plated Sorenson. In the bottom of the frame, a pitch hit the leadoff batter, Tiffany Mangiameli. Zemaitis settled down to strikeout the side stranding Mangiameli in scoring position following a steal.

Zemaitis' strikeout streak continued into the fourth inning as 10 of the first 15 batters of the duel were retired via the "K"

The Ravens tried to add an insurance run in the sixth inning as Aubrey Bianco (Marlboro, N.Y.) reached base via a hit by pitch and advanced to third on Sorenson's second base knock. However, the next two hitters were retired as the Crimson and Grey left an important run a couple feet away.

Merrimack's best chance to knot the contest came in the home half of the sixth. Centerfielder Nicole Nanof bunt singled to Zemaitis to put a runner on base with one out. First basemen Alyssa Williamson reached on a fielder's choice, but Nanof was called out at second. The Warriors called for a pinch runner at first base for Williamson, which seemed like a wise idea until Raven backstop Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) gunned out the runner attempting to steal ending the inning. Zemaitis retired the hosts 1-2-3 in order to complete the complete game shutout.

The Ravens end their season tomorrow with a doubleheader tomorrow at Merrimack with first pitch set for noon and 2:00 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).