NEW HAVEN, Conn. (March 25, 2021) – Franklin Pierce University softball senior first baseman Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) powered the Ravens to a doubleheader split on the road Thursday at Pelz Field. The Ravens lost the opening game of the series 1-0 but stormed back to take the second game by a 6-1 margin against Southern Connecticut State University. The Ravens move to 4-2 on the young season while the Owls go to 6-2.

Hinckley combined to go 2-for-5 (.400) at the plate in both games doing damage with her eighth career homer in the top of the third inning with no outs. It moved the Ravens ahead 5-0 in the early going which was plenty of run support for ace Cyrena Zemaitis (Goshen, Conn.) who spun four innings of no-run ball punching out seven batters in the process.

Zemaitis has been on fire to start the season in the circle for the Ravens has she has an unblemished 3-0 record in 15.0 innings pitched amassing 31 strikeouts (14.47 K/7) and a 0.47 ERA.

Game One: Owls 1, Ravens 0 (Final)

Both teams amassed only five hits apiece in the opening game. Junior shortstop Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, Calif.) was a perfect 3-for-3 at the dish for the Ravens with a two-bagger. Junior first baseman Lexi Garcia (Sylmar, Calif.) and Hinckley collected the other hits for the Ravens in the setback.

In the circle, freshman Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, Ariz.) took the ball and threw four innings striking out two batters, scatting three hits, and allowing only one run taking the hard-luck loss. Abbey Primavera (Spring Hill, Fla.) came on in relief and tossed two innings punching out one batter.

The only run of the game came across in the home half of the first. With two away, right fielder Liz DeRosa was hit by a pitch. The next batter, catcher Jacqueline Dumont doubled to right field bringing home her teammate for the only run of the contest.

Pierce had three runners reach second base during the middle innings and had their last opportunity to deadlock the game in the top of the seventh. Hinckley singled with two away then freshman Molly Magnette (Ayer, Mass.) pinch ran for Hinckley and immediately stole second base. The next batter struck out ending the game.

Owls hurler Jazmyn Martinez tossed a complete game shutout striking out nine batters improving to 3-0 on the year.

Game Two: Ravens 6, Owls 1 (Final)

Graduate student third baseman Madi Killebrew (Dana Point, Calif.) was 3-for-4 hitting with two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBI. Designated player Jenna Murray (Wilbraham, Mass.) went 2-for-4 at the plate as well. Graduate pitcher Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.) threw three innings of relief with two strikeouts.

The Ravens drew first blood in the top of the first. Three straight doubles by Lopez, Jess Rego (Richmond, R.I.), and Killebrew to move ahead 1-0 in the opening frame. A few frames later, a walk, an error, and a Killebrew bunt single loaded the bases for Hinckley who deposited the pitch over the right-center field fence for the granny and expand the Ravens lead to 5-0.

Sophomore left fielder Hailey Melchert (Lake Orion, Mich.) added insurance in the top of the seventh with an RBI groundout. The Owls got one unearned run back in the bottom of the seventh is the only run they could scratch across the plate.

Jessica Perucki took the loss falling to 2-2 allowing seven hits, five runs -  four earned in two and one-thirds of an inning.

Franklin Pierce will be back in action on Saturday for their home opener and Senior Day against Northeast-10 Conference opponent Bentley University with first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuravens.com). 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://fpuravens.com). You can also follow the softball team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPUSoftball_) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpu_ravens_softball).