RINDGE, N.H.  (April 28, 2017) – The Franklin Pierce University softball team suffered an 8-0 six inning setback at the hands of Northeast-10 Conference opponent Merrimack College on a gorgeous Friday afternoon at the Bisaccia Softball Complex. The win improved the Warriors record to 30-12 overall and 17-5 in league play while the Ravens lost their 32nd game and 21st NE10 contest.

Merrimack starting hurler Haley Currie was three outs shy from pitching a perfect game until Raven second basemen Allison Collins (Sandown, N.H.) slapped the first pitch of the home half of the sixth the opposite way for a bloop single to break up the perfecto. Currie struck out two batters and improved to 12-2 on the year with the victory.

Currie also paced the Warriors offense with a 3-for-4 performance with one run scored and an RBI. Right fielder Morgan Phipps hit an inside the park home run and led the guests with two RBI.

The Warriors would score three in the top of the first as the leadoff batter reach base via an error. She promptly stole second, delay stole third and was plated on a fielder's choice throwing error. Two consecutive RBI hits, a two bagger off the bat of third basemen Caitlin McBride and a single from first basemen Alyssa Williamson pushed the guests ahead 3-0 early.

Currie padded the lead with a single to short that plated Tiffany Mangiamelli in the top of the second. In the next at bats for the Warriors, Phipps lofted a two-out sure double in between two diving Raven defenders in right centerfield. Phipps raced around the bases and eventually scored standing up as the relay throw was late for the inside the park homer. An insurance run was tallied before the last out was made to push the lead to 7-0.

With the perfect game still intact, three-hole and designated player Ashley Conway (Salem, N.H.) attempted to become the first player to reach base, but her opposite field liner was snared as first baseman Alyssa Williamson sprawled out to her left for the final out of the fourth.

Merrimack starting catcher Emily Kurkul chipped in a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to increase the lead to 8-0.

Currie headed out to the hill for the last three outs to complete the rare feat, but was greeted with a first pitch bloop to right off the bat of Collins to end the bid. Currie retired the next two batters in order to send the Warriors back home with an 8-0 run rule win.

Franklin Pierce ends their 2017 campaign tomorrow with a senior day twinbill versus Merrimack at 1:00 and 3:00 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).