ASTON, Pa. (February 22, 2020) – Franklin Pierce University softball catcher Allie Martinez (Upland, Calif.) had a productive season debut at the plate while junior first baseman Gina Hinckley (Lancaster, Mass.) and sophomore designated player Cat Simmons (Pine Plains, N.Y.) each homered in the Ravens opening day 15-5 win at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia Saturday afternoon.

The win was the Ravens first of the season and it marks the first time since 2012 (March 16, W, 7-3 vs. University of Bridgeport) that they won their opening contest. FPU was also scheduled to play a nightcap of a doubleheader, but it was suspended heading into the top of the fourth with the Ravens leading 4-1. They will complete the suspended game tomorrow before their twinbill to end the weekend.

Martinez completed the game going 2-for-3 at the dish with two doubles, two runs scored, three-RBI and two walks. Freshman center fielder Melissa Konopinski (Butler, N.J.) had a perfect collegiate debut with a 3-for-3, three-run four RBI, two walk performance. Hinckley slashed two hits as well as transfer Jenna Curtis (Orange Park, Fla.).

Starting southpaw Amelia Mamone (Averill Park, N.Y.)  hurled three innings of two earned run ball with three strikeouts. Freshman Madison Labrie (New Ipswich, N.H.) came on in relief and tossed four innings punching out five batters allowing one hit, one walk improving to 1-0 on the year.

Third baseman Hannah Higgins was 1-for-3 with a double and the lone RBI for USciences.

The Ravens got on the board with two away in the top of the second. Konopinski singled, stole second base and came around to score off Martinez's two-bagger. The home team promptly tied the score in the bottom of the frame off a wild pitch.

In the top of the third, the Ravens moved into the lead for good off a Simmons leadoff solo homer. At the top of the fourth, two fielder choices, a walk, a sacrifice fly and singles by Ashley Rosario (Queensbury, N.Y.) and Konopinski gave the crimson and grey a 10-1 advantage.

The bottom of the inning saw USciences cut the score in half with three runs scored off miscues. Martinez and Madi Killebrew (Dana Point, Calif.) bashed back-to-back doubles in the sixth and Hinckley went yard and Konopinski tripled in the top of the seventh to win by 10 runs.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://fpuravens.com). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce softball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://fpuravens.com). You can also follow the softball team on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPUSoftball_) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fpu_ravens_softball).