Southern New Hampshire University softball swept a Northeast 10 doubleheader at No. 18 Franklin Pierce University on Sunday afternoon, earning 4-1 and 11-1 victories to claim the weekend series.
Senior Abby Lineman (Doylestown, Pa.) led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBIs, and four walks across the two games, while junior Julianna Colbert (Burrillville, R.I.) starred in the circle.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS

• The Penmen used timely hitting and a dominant pitching performance to earn a 4-1 victory in the opener.
• After Franklin Pierce took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, SNHU answered in the second when sophomore Livi Sousa (Hudson, Mass.) drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.
• The Penmen broke through in the fifth inning as senior Peyton Feldman (Foxboro, Mass.) delivered an RBI single and sophomore Alyssa Abbott (Hudson, N.H.) followed with a run-scoring hit to make it 3-1.
• SNHU added an insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Sousa.
• Colbert was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just one unearned run on five hits and striking out 12.
• Abbott and junior Kaysie DeMoura (Taunton, Mass.) each recorded two hits, while Lineman reached base four times with three walks.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS

• The Penmen completed the sweep with an 11-1 victory, breaking the game open with consistent offense throughout.
• SNHU struck first in the opening inning when junior Mikaya Alto (Chelmsford, Mass.) delivered a two-run double to give the Penmen a 2-0 lead.
• The Penmen added to the advantage in the third inning, as Lineman launched a three-run home run to extend the lead to 5-0.
• After Franklin Pierce got a run back in the bottom of the inning, SNHU answered immediately. DeMoura delivered a two-run double in the fourth inning to push the lead to 7-1.
• SNHU continued to add on in the fifth inning when freshman Tori Christie (Barnstead, N.H.) doubled home a run to make it 8-1.
• The Penmen capped the scoring with a three-run seventh inning, highlighted by an RBI double by Sousa, a sacrifice fly from Christie, and an RBI single by Feldman.
• Lineman led the offense, going 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and a walk, while Feldman went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Alto added two hits and two RBIs, and Christie contributed two hits and two RBIs.
• Sophomore Kayla O'Boyle (Commack, N.Y.) earned the win in the circle, allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings.

NOTES

• SNHU (18-12) is currently in third place in the Northeast 10 standings, a position which would give them home-field advantage in the first round of the Championship.
• Franklin Pierce leads the Northeast 10 with a 25-5 conference mark, with Adelphi next at 26-6.
• The Penmen hold a 68-36 advantage in the all-time series with the Ravens.
• Franklin Pierce, ranked #18 in the NFCA weekly poll, has lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
• Colbert has struck out at least 10 batters in seven different starts this season.  Her 315 career strikeouts have her in fourth place on the program list.
• Colbert leads the NE10 with a 1.68 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and is tied for most wins with Adelphi's Jenna Plue at 15.
• Colbert has won six consecutive appearances (five starts)  since falling 1-0 to Saint Anselm on April 14.  
• Over her last 34 innings, Colbert has allowed four earned runs while striking out 59.
• O'Boyle made her second career start and earned her first complete game. 
• Lineman's nine home runs ranked in the NE10.   Her 22 career home runs move her into a tie for fifth in program history with Erin Garczynski and Kelsea Cheney and her 119 career RBIs are second all-time to Garczynski (138).
• Feldman moves into a tie for 8th in program history with Jordyn Resetar, at 151 career hits.

UP NEXT

• The Penmen will return home on Tuesday, April 28 against American International College (2:30 p.m.).