Softball Takes Season Series, Sweeps Friday Doubleheader at Franklin Pierce
Links: Box Score (G1) | Box Score (G2)
RINDGE, N.H. – Senior Stephanie Lapierre's (Berlin, Conn.) leadoff triple in the top of the ninth inning helped the Merrimack College softball team take Game 1 and, more importantly, the season series against Franklin Pierce, before the Warriors scored six runs in two innings en route to a doubleheader sweep with a 10-6 victory in Game 2.
The Basics
Score (G1): Merrimack 4, Franklin Pierce 3 (F/9)
Score (G2): Merrimack 10, Franklin Pierce 6
Records: Merrimack (9-12, 2-1 NE Div.) | Franklin Pierce (1-3, 1-2 NE Div.)
Location: Bisaccia Complex | Rindge, N.H.
How It Happened
After the Merrimack offense tacked on three runs in the top of the first, Franklin Pierce chipped back with a run in the second and two more in the fifth, as the game entered the later stages of regulation all even at 3-3.
The Warriors had the go-ahead run in scoring position in the top of the seventh but relief pitcher Tricia Hansen quelled the threat after getting the final batter to strike out. Meanwhile, freshman lefty Courtney Zambello (Sharon, Mass.) was rolling along; after entering in the bottom of the fifth, the rookie worked around a walk in the seventh to send the game to extras.
Each side put a runner on base in the eighth but both were erased by the defense, including a stellar home-to-first pickoff by senior Becca Armstrong (Methuen, Mass.) to end the inning.
Then, in the top of the ninth, Lapierre roped her second career triple to right field and later scored on a throwing error, giving the Warriors the lead for good. Zambello set down the side in order in the home half of the ninth to secure her first collegiate victory.
In the late game, Merrimack blitzed the Ravens with seven runs in its first two trips to the batters box, including a six-spot in the top of the second, as the Warriors opened up a 7-1 lead after two frames.
Leading by four (7-3) entering the fourth, senior Courtney Ulak (Rehoboth, Mass.) drove in another run with a base hit to push the lead to 8-3; Franklin Pierce tacked on a run apiece in the fifth and sixth to get to within three, but two more Warrior runs would score in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Inside The Numbers
- Zambello finished Game 1 with three strikeouts over five innings while allowing no earned runs (two unearned) and only two hits
- Lapierre went 2-for-4 in the opener, while sophomore Kaleigh Finigan (Medford, Mass.) drove in a side-high two runs after smacking a two-run home run to center back in the first inning; Finigan then added three more RBIs in Game 2 to finish the day with five
- Game 2 featured a pair of 4-for-4 performances by Armstrong and freshman Megan Cook (Bellingham, Mass.), while sophomore Mariah Tenney (Winchendon, Mass.) and Ulak added two hits as part of a 13-hit onslaught by the Warriors
- In Game 1, sophomore Haley Currie (Burlington, Mass.) struck out four and allowed only one earned run with no walks and five hits scattered over four innings
- Junior Alexis Perry (Westford, Vt.) secured her third win of the season after getting the start in Game 2; she tossed 5-2/3 innings while yielding four earned runs with three strikeouts and a walk; Cook tossed the final 1-1/3 frames and fanned two
- In total, the Warriors outhit Franklin Pierce, 22-18, over both games; the Ravens finished with eight doubles while Merrimack tallied a double, triple, and home run over both games
- Merrimack was stellar defensively on the day, committing only two errors in 65 chances (.970)
Up Next
Merrimack continues divisional play on Monday, April 6, against one of the top teams in the conference – and country – as the Warriors head to Manchester to meet up with No. 20 Southern New Hampshire for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
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