Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa 

PHILADELPHIA, P.A (3/21/2024) -- The Franklin Pierce softball team captured two shutout wins in Thursday afternoon's doubleheader at CHC Softball Field against Chestnut Hill to extend their winning streak to five.

Score (Game 1): Franklin Pierce 8, Chestnut Hill 0 (F/5 Innings)
Score (Game 2): Franklin Pierce 11, Chestnut Hill 0 (F/5 Innings)
Records: Franklin Pierce (8-4, 0-0 NE-10), Chestnut Hill (1-11, 0-4 CACC)
Location: Philadelphia, P.A (CHC Softball Field)
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, Franklin Pierce scored two runs in the top of the second inning. Freshman designated player Georgia Clough (Barriere, British Columbia) reached first base on a fielding error by Chestnut Hill freshman second baseman Jenn Pokropinski. Sophomore outfielder Savannah Arreguin (Pacoima, CA) and senior infielder Molly Magnette (Ayer, MA) scored to give the Ravens a 2-0 lead.

• In the top of the third, junior infielder Lita Vorseth (Mesa, AZ) singled to right center field, scoring junior first baseman Anna Erikson (Temecula, CA) to make it 3-0 Franklin Pierce. Senior catcher Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA) had an RBI double in the fourth inning, scoring sophomore outfielder Amy Jones (San Diego, CA) to extend the Ravens lead.

• In the top of the fifth, the Ravens scored four runs to secure the 8-0 mercy-rule win against Chestnut Hill. Clough had a ground-rule double to center field, scoring Vorseth and senior infielder Haley Bigwood (Athol, MA). Then, Cangiano had a 2 RBI double down the third base line, scoring Jones and Clough.

• In Game 2, the bats were hot for Franklin Pierce as they scored five runs in the first inning. The inning was highlighted by senior third baseman Susannah Campos (Lemoore, CA) getting her fifth hit of the season.

• In the top of the second, Franklin Pierce tacked on two more runs. Junior outfielder Bella Williams (Phoenix, AZ) reached first on a throwing error by Chestnut Hill sophomore shortstop Mianna Lopez Del Harro, scoring Cangiano to make it 6-0 Franklin Pierce. Bigwood had an RBI single, scoring Williams to give the Ravens a commanding 7-0 lead.

• The Ravens finished off Chestnut Hill in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to pick up another mercy-rule win. Both Cangiano and Bigwood got their third hit. The Ravens improved to 8-4 on the season with the 11-0 win in game two against Chestnut Hill.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• In Game 1, senior pitcher Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, AZ) pitched her third complete game of the season to improve to 3-0. She pitched five scoreless innings, gave up three hits, and struck out six batters. Gonzalez has not given up any runs in her last two starts. • Franklin Pierce outhit Chestnut Hill 9-3. Both teams had one error.

• Vorseth went three for three with an RBI. Cangiano and Clough had three RBIs. Jones went 1 for 2 and scored two runs.

• In Game 2, senior pitcher Samantha Sylvester (Morris, CT) got the start and picked up her third win of the season. She pitched four scoreless innings, gave up two hits, and struck out three batters. Freshman pitcher Raylee Gilbert (Waterville, ME) closed out the game and gave up only one hit.

• Franklin Pierce outhit Chestnut Hill 12-3. Chestnut Hill had two errors.

• Both Cangiano and Bigwood had three hits. Erikson had three RBIs.  

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens head to Caldwell, New Jersey on Friday, March 22, for a doubleheader against Caldwell University. Game one is at 2 p.m., followed by game two at 4 p.m.