TUCSON, Ariz. (2/21/23) – In their final contest of the Cactus Classic Tournament in Tucson, Arizona, the Ravens looked for redemption in their second meeting with Simon Fraser University (Canada). However, the Red Leaves managed to barely slip past the Ravens by one run, claiming the victory by an 8-7 score to claim the tournament series.

With the loss, the Ravens complete their season opening Arizona trip with a 3-4 overall record, while Simon Fraser improves to 5-6 on their respective season.

The Red Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after scoring a run in each of the first two innings, but had their advantage cut in half after the Ravens responded in the bottom of the third. After retiring the Leafs side in one-two-three fashion, junior Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, Mass.) opened the scoring for the Ravens with a solo home run to left field, making it 2-1.

The fifth inning was a high scoring affair for both sides, beginning with four runs in the top half by Simon Fraser, giving them a 7-1 advantage. However, they were soon met with an equally successful bottom half of the inning by the Ravens, who scored five runs to bring the score to 7-6. Cangiano got the ball rolling with a triple down the right field line, which was then followed with a single up the middle by junior Haley Bigwood (Athol, Mass.), combining for three RBI. Two batters later, junior Susannah Campos (LeMoore, Calif.) delivered another pair of runners home, scoring both off a single to center field.

Simon Fraser would add some minor insurance with a single run off a sacrifice fly-out in the sixth inning, but would face a possible Raven comeback in the bottom of the seventh. From first base, and with two outs, freshman Savannah Arreguin (Pacoima, Calif.) found her way home and scored off a center field single by senior Hailey Melchert (Lake Orion, Mich.), once again bringing Pierce to within one run, 8-7. However, the Ravens would not be able to bring in the tying run before the Red Leafs claimed the final out, falling by the one-run decision.

Junior Samantha Sylvester (Morris, Conn.) received her second start of the tournament for the Ravens, pitching through two innings with two runs allowed on four hits, with one strikeout. Sabrina Gonzalez entered to pitch three innings in relief, allowing five runs on three hits, striking out three batters. Abbey Poirot finished in the circle, pitching the final two innings allowing one run on two hits, shouldering the loss for the Ravens.

Softball returns to the northeast region for a pair of double-header matchups at Queens (N.Y.), opening on Saturday with first pitch at 1:00 p.m. for game one, and 3:00 p.m. for game two.