Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa 

RINDGE, N.H. (4/14/2024) -- The Franklin Pierce softball team split their doubleheader Sunday against the St. Rose Golden Knights, a battle between two teams fighting for position in the Northeast-10 Conference. 

Score (Game 1): Franklin Pierce 5, St. Rose 2
Score (Game 2): Franklin Pierce 8, St. Rose 10
Records: Franklin Pierce (18-10, 7-5 NE-10), St. Rose (15-11, 6-6 NE-10)
Location: Rindge, N.H (Melissa Bisaccia Memorial Softball Complex)
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, St. Rose scored two runs in the top of third to take a 2-0 lead over Franklin Pierce. Graduate infielder Madison Chandler reached base on a fielder's choice, scoring freshman outfielder Kelsey Higgins and graduate outfielder Ciana Phillips. In the bottom of the third, senior infielder Haley Bigwood (Athol, MA) hit a solo home run to left center field to cut the Golden Knights lead in half. It was Bigwood's fourth home run of the season. 

• In the bottom of the sixth, junior first baseman Anna Erikson (Temecula, CA) had an RBI single, scoring sophomore outfielder Andie Anderson (Phoenix, AZ) to tie the game. Next, junior outfielder Bella Williams (Phoenix, AZ) had an infield fly to second base, and Erikson scored to give the Ravens their first lead in game one. Then, senior catcher Ashley Cangiano (North Attleboro, MA) had a single and advanced to second on an error by Phillips, scoring Bigwood and senior pitcher Samantha Sylvester (Morris, CT) to make it 5-2 Ravens. Franklin Pierce held on to take game one of the doubleheader. 

• In Game 2, the Golden Knights exploded with five runs in the top of the first. Higgins hit a three-run home run. Then, freshman infielder Marin Frazee hit a two-run home run. In the bottom of the second, junior infielder Lita Vorseth (Mesa, AZ) had an RBI triple, scoring sophomore outfielder Amy Jones (San Diego, CA) to cut the Golden Knights lead to four. The Ravens made it 5-2 when freshman pitcher Raylee Gilbert (Waterville, ME) reached first on an error, scoring Vorseth. 

• The Golden Knights scored three runs in the top of the fourth. It was highlighted by Chandler hitting an RBI single, scoring junior catcher Ellen Fuda. In the bottom of the fourth, Sylvester had an RBI double, scoring Erikson to make it 8-4. Then, Bigwood grounded out to second, and Gilbert scored from third to cut the Golden Knights lead to three. 

• St. Rose added two insurance runs in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, Williams had a 3 RBI double, scoring Bigwood, Gilbert, and Erikson to make it 10-8. The Golden Knights held on to win game two and split the doubleheader.  

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, senior pitcher Sabrina Gonzalez (Chandler, AZ) pitched her sixth complete game and won her ninth game of the season. She pitched seven innings and gave up three hits, two runs, five walks, and struck out two batters. 

• Franklin Pierce outhit St. Rose 7-3. The Golden Knights had five errors. 

• Bigwood went 2 for 4 with an RBI and scored two runs. 

• In Game 2, sophomore pitcher Savannah Arreguin (Pacoima, CA) started for the first time this season and picked up her first loss. She pitched 0.1 innings and gave up four hits, five hits, two walks, two home runs, and struck out no batters. Gilbert came in relief and pitched 3.2 innings. She gave up five hits, three runs, one walk, and struck out five batters. Freshman pitcher Kennedy Morris (Stafford, CT) pitched the final three innings. She gave up four hits, one run, and struck out two batters. 

• St. Rose outhit Franklin Pierce 13-12. The Ravens had three errors. 

• Sylvester went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Williams went 2 for 4 with three RBIs and scored a run. Erikson went 2 for 4 and scored two runs.   

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens remain at home as they have a doubleheader matchup on Tuesday, April 16, against Post University. Game one is at 3 p.m., followed by game two at 5 p.m.