Recap by student-staff writer Joe Mclaughlin 

MELBOURNE, FL (3/8/24) - The Ravens could not come back from an early four-run deficit as the Franklin Pierce softball team picked up their second loss of the season against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals, losing 8-2 on Friday.  

Score: Franklin Pierce 2, Saginaw Valley 8 
Records: Franklin Pierce 3-2 (0-0 NE10), Saginaw Valley 10-5 (0-0 GLIAC) 
Location: Space Coast Spring Games, Blue Easton Field, Melbourne, FL 
Date: March 8^th, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Cardinals started early, picking up two runs in the bottom of the 1^st Inning. Cardinals' senior infielder Sara Moos doubled to deep center, scoring freshman infielder Natalie Savage and freshman designated player Ella Reifschneider to take an early 2-0 lead. 
• The Cardinals added to their lead in the 3^rd Inning courtesy of an RBI single by sophomore infielder Katelyn Pnacek and an RBI fielder's choice hit by junior outfielder Olivia Sabin extended the Cardinals lead to 4-0. 
• The Ravens responded in the top of the 4^th Inning as senior infielder Hailey Bigwood (Athol, MA) grabbed her first home run of the season, blasting a 2-run bomb to deep center field scoring both herself and senior catcher Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA), cutting the Cardinals lead in half.  
• The Cardinals closed out the game however with a 4-run 6^th Inning. Cardinals' senior first baseman Alyssa Muench hit a 2 RBI single to center field, giving back the Cardinals' 4-run lead. Then senior infielder Sara Moos picked up her 4^th RBI of the day in a 2 RBI single to center field, extending the Cardinals' lead to 8-2. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• The Cardinals outhit the Ravens 10-4, scoring all 8 of their runs with RBI hits.  
• The Ravens struggled at the plate, striking out 8 times to the Cardinals 1.  
• The Ravens also had the only 2 errors of the game, extending some innings and giving the Cardinals a chance to set up scoring plays.  
• Cardinals' senior pitcher Emily Depew had a great game, pitching all 7 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk and striking out 8 batters. 
• The Ravens' freshman pitcher Raylee Gilbert (Waterville, ME) picked up her first loss of the season. The Ravens rotated through four pitchers giving up a combined 10 hits, 8 runs, 5 walks, and striking out only 1 batter.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens' play Holy Family later in the day Friday. Their next two games are Saturday against West Chester at 10 am and 12:15 pm.