WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore pitcher Kayleigh Fitzpatrick (East Hampstead, N.H./Timberlane Reg. HS) earned the save with 1.1 innings of scoreless relief in the opener and followed with a five-hit complete game victory in the nightcap as Bentley University swept Franklin Pierce University, 5-4 and 3-1, in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division softball Friday afternoon in the Falcons' home opener.

In the opener, after Franklin Pierce had scored two runs earlier in the inning to draw within one, Fitzpatrick came in, with runners on first and second, and got the final out on a grounder right back to her.

The lefty needed only 61 pitches to capture the game two win. She retired the final eight batters she faced, as well as 13 of the final 14.

In game one, Bentley answered the Ravens' two-run first with a run in the bottom of the first. Freshman designated player Lea Thompson (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull HS) led off with a single through the left side and scored on a two-out single to center by senior first baseman Jordan Ballantyne (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./Arlington HS).

The Falcons gained the lead with a three-run second, an inning that featured an RBI single to left by sophomore left fielder Stacey Korotsky (Raynham/Bridgewater-Raynham HS) and a two-run triple from sophomore shortstop Julia Slavin (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill HS).

Bentley made it a 5-2 game in the third when senior second baseman Catie Noons (North Dighton/Dighton-Rehoboth HS) doubled down the left field line and scored when proved to be the decisive run on a throwing error.

In game two, with the score knotted at 1-1, Bentley grabbed the lead in the fifth. Korotsky led off with a walk, Slavin singled down the left field line and they both moved up on a sacrifice bunt. Ballantyne grounded into a fielder's choice with Korotsky scoring the go-ahead run and Slavin scored her team's third run on a single to short right by freshman third baseman Noa Rivera (Clifton, N.J./Hawthorne Christian Academy).

Freshman Ashley Keegan (Pittsfield/Taconic HS) gained her fourth win of the season in the opener after allowing eight hits and four runs in 5.2 innings. She walked two and struck out four.

Bentley (6-14, 3-2 NE10 Northeast) totaled 14 hits in the two games with Slavin, Thompson and Rivera leading the way with three apiece.  

Franklin Pierce dropped to 3-12 overall and 0-5 in the division despite getting four hits in the two games from senior center fielder Cassidy Sorenson (Billerica).

Bentley will continue its five-game homestand with a noon doubleheader against LIU Post Saturday and a single with Franklin Pierce Monday.