LAKEWOOD, N.J. (5/13/22) – A rain delay wasn't enough to stop the Franklin Pierce softball squad from completing their mission, avoiding elimination with a 3-2 victory over #7 University of Bridgeport on Friday afternoon.

The win marks the programs first ever triumph in the NCAA tournament, with the Ravens moving to 30-11 this season. University of Bridgeport, following their loss yesterday to host #2 Georgian Court University, was eliminated from the tournament and wraps the 2022 campaign with an overall record of 36-16.

The Ravens made quick work out of the first inning, securing a 1-0 lead in the bottom half when sophomore Bella Williams (Phoenix, Ariz.) took a stray pitch to the side with the bases loaded, walking in the RBI. Both teams would go scoreless through the second and third innings.

The 1-0 edge remained until the Ravens scored another two runs early in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Ana Erikson (Temecula, Calif.) set the tone with a first-pitch double to right center field, which was quickly followed up with a single up the middle from senior Maiah Lopez (Oxnard, Calif.). With runners at the corners, junior center fielder Melissa Konopinski (Butler, N.J.) added the first run after beating out a throw from the shortstop for an infield RBI single. Graduate Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) kept the single's game strong with a base hit to right center, plating what would be the deciding run for the Ravens.

The Purple Knights would show their first signs of life with a single run in the top of the fifth. With a runner at first and two outs, freshman Madison D'Amato doubled down the line in left field and later scoring baserunner Hailey Kim.

The Knights would make things more interesting in the final inning of play, narrowing the deficit to one with two outs and runners at first and second base. Junior Meg McFarland managed to plate the runner at second with a single up the middle, but the Ravens defense would eventually shut it down before any more damage could be dealt, finishing the game at 3-2.

Senior Abbey Primavera (Spring Hill, Fla.) started in the circle for the Ravens, improving to 12-5 on the season following five innings tossed while allowing one run on four hits for the win. Sophomore Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, Ariz.) allowed a single run off one hits across six innings of relief work, tossing in a pair of strikeouts to earn her fourth save of the season.  

Softball survives the fight and will continue their hunt in the East Regional on Saturday, May 13^th for a morning matchup with host #2 Georgian Court University at 10:30 AM.