THE BASICS:

-Score Game 1: Assumption 4, Franklin Pierce 1

-Score Game 2: Assumption 10, Franklin Pierce 0

-Records: Assumption (6-15, 3-6 NE-10), Franklin Pierce (5-10, 1-2 NE-10)

-Location: Rindge, N.H. (Bisaccia SB Complex)

-The Lead: The Assumption College softball team swept Northeast-10 division opponent Franklin Pierce on Saturday to improve to 3-1 in the division standings (third) and 6-15 on the season. The Hounds claimed game one by a score of 4-1 before shutting out the Ravens 10-0 on a nine-run seventh inning. 

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME 1

-The Hounds got out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning. Junior Ashley Abad (Bedford, N.H. / Bedford) walked with two outs and was followed by senior Kayli Moniz (Fairhaven, Mass. / Fairhaven) at the plate. Moniz smacked a fly ball to left field that was dropped by the Raven outfielder to score Abad and land Moniz on third before the close of the inning, 1-0 Hounds.

-Assumption increased its lead to two in the top of the second. Sophomore Nicole Duplease (Leominster, Mass. / Leominster) led off with a double to left field before advancing to third on a fly out. With one out, freshman Caitlin Mirabell (Shoreham, N.Y. / Shoreham-Wading River) stepped to the plate and sent a single to left field to score Duplease for the 2-0 lead.

-A one-out, solo home run by Abad in the top of the third increased the Hounds' lead to 3-0.

-The Ravens scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the third when Jillian Ostrander led off with a double to right center field, advanced to third on the following play and scored on a single by Patricia Hansen, 3-1 Assumption.

-In the top of the seventh, the Hounds notched their final run of the game when sophomore Stephanie Menard (Cranston, R.I. / Cranston HS West) singled to right field with two outs to score Abad, who reached base on a fielder's choice, 4-1 Hounds.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS - GAME 1

-Abad led the Hounds in game one tallying a team-high two hits in three at bats while posting one RBI and scoring three of Assumption's four runs. 

-Both teams collected eight hits in game one. The Hounds left seven runners on base compared to seven for Franklin Pierce.

-Three Hounds tallied extra-base hits in game one including the double by Duplease, the home run from Abad and another double from senior Christina Caira (Newton, Mass. / Newton North).

-Sophomore Kendal Roy (Grafton, Mass. / Grafton) earns the win in the circle for the Hounds and improves to 5-4 on the season. She pitched 7.0 innings for Assumption, allowing eight hits and striking out seven batters.

-Patricia Hansen takes the loss for Franklin Pierce and drops to 5-2 on the year. She gave up eight hits, struck out six batters and allowed four runs, three earned.

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME 2

-Neither team was able to gain the advantage in game two until the top of the fifth inning when Assumption got out to a 1-0 lead on a solo home run off the bat of Caira.

-The score remained 1-0 until the top of the seventh inning when the Hounds rallied for an outstanding nine runs on five hits and one error to claim the victory.

-The Hounds loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh and sophomore pinch runner Marissa Gifford (North Attleboro, Mass. / North Attleboro), scored when Caira walked to first. Gifford replaced Moniz on the bases who had led off with a single up the middle, 2-0 Assumption.

-On the next play with the bases still loaded, freshman Julia Mazzeo (Milford, N.H. / Milford) lined out to left field to score Menard, who had doubled, 3-0 Hounds.

-A single from junior Cassidy Colby (Charlton, Mass. / Shepherd Hill Regional) with one out drove in Duplease, who had walked, before Mirabell blasted a double to center field to score Colby and Caira for a 6-0 lead.

-The Hounds continued to rally, scoring four more runs in the frame. Abad doubled to right field with one out to score Mirabell, 6-0 Assumption. Three more Hounds crossed the plate for the eventual 10-0 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS - GAME 2

-Moniz helped lead Assumption, going 3-for-3 at the plate while tallying one run. 

-Caira also helped lead the Hounds with three RBI and two runs scored.

-Assumption posted nine hits in game two compared to just five for Franklin Pierce.

-Four Hounds posted extra-base hits in game two including Caira's home run as well as doubles from Mirabell, Abad and Menard.

-Senior Jess Underwood (Hudson, N.H. / Alvirne) claims her first win of the season in the circle. Underwood posted a career-high nine strikeouts while allowing just five hits and one walk in 7.0 innings. She improves to 1-5 on the season.

-FPU's Amanda Adee takes the loss allowing nine hits and seven earned runs in 6.1 innings. She was repleaced by Abby Paquette for the final two outs of the game.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORES:

-After several splits, the doubleheader sweep marks the first for the Hounds this season. 

-The shutout in game two marks the first of the season for Underwood and her first complete game of the season. In addition, Underwood's nine strikeouts surpasses her previous career-high of six, which she has accomplished twice in her tenure. The senior now has 18 strikeouts this season, half of which she has accumulated in just one game. 

-Underwoods victory also marks her first of the season. 

-Roy's seven strikeouts marks the most in a game for the sophomore in her career. Her previous best was five.

-Caira's home run marks her second of the season and the second of her career.

UP NEXT:

-The Hounds will return to action on Tuesday, March 29 when they return to Franklin Pierce for a single game against the Ravens to complete the teams' three-game series.

STAY CONNECTED:

-For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240. 

-Fans can also sign up for email updates and text message alerts for the women's softball team and all of the other 23 Assumption varsity sports by clicking here.