Garden City, N.Y. - Opening their conference schedule, the Adelphi University softball team got swept in its doubleheader against Franklin Pierce University on Saturday afternoon at Janet L. Ficke Field, by the final scores of 5-1 and 4-0.

Game 1: Adelphi 1, Franklin Pierce 5
The day started with an unusual twist, as the venue change that was finalized two days ago did not change the home/road designations. Adelphi batted first for both contests. 

While the Panthers were shut out for the first three frames, Zee Zee Shreter and Courtney Murphy both tallied a pair of singles with two outs in the third. Brianna Pearson's walk loaded the bases, but a fast lineout from Julianna Sanzone sent the game to the home half. 

Jenna Plue kept the Ravens at bay for the first two, retiring the first six batters and two via strikeout. In the third however, Franklin Pierce woke up their bats, driving in four runs off two singles and a three-bagger. 

After tacking on an additional insurance run in the fourth, it was the Panthers who sparked some offense to start the next frame. Two bases on balls applied pressure on the Ravens and forced a pitching change. Pearson then drove a single into center field to score Shreter and break the ice. 

Lily Kenney appeared in relief for Plue, finishing the final two and two-thirds innings allowing just one hit and no earned runs. 

Despite garnering some late momentum, the Brown and Gold went hitless following the lone RBI from Pearson, as the final seven batters of the early afternoon were sat down.  

Game 2: Adelphi 0, Franklin Pierce 4
The nightcap featured a similar tone as the matinee, with the Ravens gradually anchoring their lead as the game went on. 

Shreter and Courtney Wengryn reached in the first inning and both got into scoring position, but consecutive groundouts ended any hopes for a hot start. 

Defense defined the first two frames, with a double play turned by the 'Cats ending the first and starting pitcher Tori Parente going 1-2-3 in the second. 

Things began to unravel in the third, as a double steal initiated a throwing error from Amanda Chavarria, putting the first run on the board for the Ravens. Another error in the infield brought two more home to increase the lead to three. 

Franklin Pierce continued to pile on in the fifth, as Chavarria's attempt at catching a Raven to steal second resulted in the runner at third jumping the throw and tallying the fourth run. 

Even with the Brown and Gold stretching a pair of singles in the last two innings, no more than one could reach base. Parente's line ended with two earned runs on four hits for her fourth loss of the season. 

Head Coach Katie Apostolopoulos and the Panthers will be back in action tomorrow (Mar. 30) when they take on Saint Michael's College. Like today's games, Adelphi will be designated as the road team on the scoreboard, batting first. Action from Janet L. Ficke Field is scheduled to get underway at 11 a.m.