RINDGE, N.H. (4/27/23) – Late on Thursday evening, the No. 5 regionally ranked Franklin Pierce University Softball squad earned a twin-bill sweep over Northeast-10 Conference opponent American International College, winning by scores of 7-3 and 8-0 at Bisaccia Field.

The two triumphs improves Franklin Pierce Softball to a 30-16 overall record (14-7 NE10), while the Yellow Jackets drop to a 7-37 overall (3-19 NE10).

GAME #1

To start the evening, both teams would fail to open the scoring in the first inning. However, it would be AIC that would strike first in the top off the second inning on an RBI single by designated player Samantha Sanchez, giving the visitors the 1-0 edge.

After getting out of the top half of the second with just one run surrendered, the Ravens would secure a complimentary tying run in the bottom of the inning following a walk to freshman Amy Jones (San Diego, Calif.) with the bases loaded.

In the third inning, the Ravens bombarded the Yellow Jackets with four runs scored, beginning with an RBI double to right-center by junior Haley Bigwood (Athol, Mass.). A few batters later, with Bigwood stationed at third, sophomore Lita Vorseth (Mesa, Ariz.) would drive another run home off an RBI single through the left side, extending the Raven lead to 3-1. Continuing the rally would be freshman Andie Anderson (Phoenix, Ariz.) as she would reach first safely on the error by AIC first baseman Julia Krijgsman, allowing enough time for two runners to come home. The score would be 5-1 in favor of the Ravens once AIC secured the third out.

American International would slash the Franklin Pierce lead to just two runs in the top of the fourth, scoring two on a double down the right field line from shortstop Destiny McGrath. Nothing more would cross home plate for the Yellow Jackets, as they would be held to just two more hits throughout the remainder of the game.

In the sixth, junior Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, Mass.) continued her domination at the plate with her tenth homer of the season, scoring two RBI to seal the victory, 7-3 for Pierce.

It would be a four-inning day for Samantha Sylvester (Morris, Conn.) as she earned the start in the circle for the Ravens, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks with one  strikeout to earn the win (6-2). In relief, freshman Savannah Arreguin (Pacoima, Calif.) would contribute three innings of scoreless work, surrendering two hits and two walks while fanning one batter.

GAME #2

While game one of the Thursday double-feature went scoreless through the first inning, both teams would come up empty through the first two frames in the night cap. However, it would be the Ravens jumping ahead first in the third inning, beginning with a two-RBI triple down the left field line by Ashley Cangiano. That would then be followed by a scoring double to the same location from Haley Bigwood, giving Franklin Pierce the 3-0 advantage.

In the fourth, Pierce would plate two more runs by way of an inside the park homer from sophomore Bella Williams (Phoenix, Ariz.), extending the lead to 5-0 Ravens. An inning later, while serving as a pinch hitter, senior Ari Rodriguez (Clinton, Mass.) would connect for an infield single to the left side to score fellow senior Melissa Konopinski (Butler, N.J), furthering the lead to 6-0.

In the sixth inning, Cangaino would wrap it up for Pierce with another tripled to the center field fence, scoring two runs to inflict the mercy rule by an 8-0 final.  

Junior Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, Ariz.) made her thirteenth start of the season in game two and tossed through five shutout innings while allowing five hits and one walk, striking out six to claim the win (12-5). Combining for the shutout was junior Abby Poirot (Winstead, Conn.), would helped out in the final inning with no runs allowed on one walk along with two strikeouts.

It will be a quick turnaround for Pierce softball as they will clash with conference opponent Assumption University on Friday, April 28^th for their regular season finale at Bisaccia Field. The Ravens will also celebrate their Seniors prior to game one of the doubleheader, with both games set for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. starts.