Former Nashoba softball standout Gina Hinckley provides the power for Franklin Pierce

Gina Hinckley was the only freshman on Nashoba Regional’s 2014 softball team, and the guidance, advice and inspiration she got from former Nashoba coach Steve Kendall and veteran teammates like Emily Sargent that year motivated her to set her goals high.

Hinckley, a Lancaster resident, finished her high school career with more than 100 hits and as a senior led her team with a .456 batting average and Mid-Wach B with five home runs, but she was just getting started.

At Franklin Pierce, Hinckley has helped trigger a major program turnaround, and last weekend, Hinckley became part of Ravens’ history.

In a doubleheader sweep of St. Michael’s, Hinckley blasted three homers and drove in seven runs to become Franklin Pierce’s all-time leader in home runs (21) and RBIs (68).

“It means everything” Hinckley, the Ravens’ graduate first baseman, said. “I came into this school knowing I wanted to break records, specifically the home run one because I’ve always been a power hitter. I have very high standards for myself, and that’s just one of the milestones I wanted to hit this year, and I’m just so glad I did it.”

At 14-0 (2-0 Northeast-10 Conference), Franklin Pierce is off to its best start.

The Ravens won one game the season before Hinckley’s freshman season. Behind coach Andy Klaus, who took over in 2019, Franklin Pierce set a program single-season record for wins last year with 21 and played in the NE-10 Tournament final for the first time.

Hinckley played a major role in her team’s success by batting .346 and leading the NE-10 with 10 home runs. Hinckley collected numerous postseason accolades, including first-team NE-10 and all-district honors.

“Coach Klaus has impacted every one of his players in a positive way,” Hinckley said. “He recruits great players and great people, and our team chemistry is unmatched. We have really built this program from the ground up, and it has been a great ride.”

Clinton’s Ari Rodriguez, Ayer’s Molly Magnette and Athol’s Haley Bigwood also have been part of the rebuild.

Last spring, Hinckley earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing.

When she went 2-5 with a home run and three RBIs in Franklin Pierce’s doubleheader sweep of Southern New Hampshire on Senior Day last May, Hinckley wasn’t sure if she would be back for a fifth season.

The decision to return was the right one for many reasons.

“Without Coach Klaus giving me this opportunity to come back and play a fifth year,” Hinckley said, “I wouldn’t have been able to get my MBA. Being able to do the MBA program in one year and graduate in May again is something I personally can’t believe I’m doing because I’ve struggled with school my whole life. This school has just given me so many opportunities and made me grow as a softball player and a person. It’s the best place ever.”

Franklin Pierce held a graduation ceremony last year, but Hinckley’s parents, Robin and Dan, were not able to attend due to COVID restrictions.

This year, they will proudly see their daughter receive her master’s degree.

Earlier this month, Dan traveled to Franklin Pierce’s spring break games in South Carolina while Robin watched the livestream. They are happy to be back in their usual outfield seats at the Ravens’ Melissa Bisaccia Memorial Softball Complex.

“They are my No. 1 supporters,” Hinckley said. “I have such a supportive family, and to see them in the outfield means everything.”

Crusaders to kick off at Merrimack

The three-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross football team will open the 2022 season Sept. 3 at Merrimack.

The Crusaders recently announced their schedule for the upcoming season. HC will play five home games and six road games, including four of its first five.

On Sept. 10, Holy Cross plays at Buffalo. The Bulls are HC’s sixth Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in the last six years. In last season’s opener, the Crusaders defeated UConn to register their first win over an FBS foe since 2002.

Holy Cross plays its home opener Sept. 17 against Yale at Fitton Field.

In other non-conference action, HC plays at Harvard Oct. 1 and hosts Bryant Nov. 12.

The Crusaders have home games against three Patriot League opponents (Bucknell, Oct. 8, Fordham, Oct 29, and Lehigh, Nov. 5) and travel to Colgate Sept. 24, Lafayette Oct. 22 and Georgetown Nov. 19.

All game times are to be announced.

Last year, Holy Cross went 10-3, including a 6-0 mark in league play, and advanced to the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. HC finished the year ranked No. 19 in the nation by StatsPerform.

Holy Cross returns 10 All-Patriot League honorees from 2021.

Head of the Class

• WPI senior pitcher Dylan Connors of Westborough batted .476 and drove in seven runs as the Engineers opened the New England portion of their schedule 5-0.

• Anna Maria senior goalkeeper Griffin Moore of Worcester and Doherty High went 2-0 last week with a 63.4 save percentage. He averaged 13 saves per game and ranks second in the GNAC with 98 saves.

• Assumption junior pitcher Jack Choate of North Grafton tied a program record with 19 strikeouts in a seven-inning, 4-0 shutout of St. Anselm. The lefty allowed two hits and walked two while improving to 2-1 on the season.

• Holy Cross freshman Sean Scanlon batted .417 with two home runs and a team-high eight RBIs to help HC go 3-3 last week.

• Worcester State sophomore pitcher Emily Bartlett made two appearances and allowed one earned run over eight innings for a 0.88 ERA. In a complete-game win over Lasell, she struck out 10.

• Fitchburg State freshman midfielder Nicole Orlowski registered seven points on six goals and an assist, and added 3 ground balls, 4 draw controls and 2 caused turnovers to help the Falcons go 2-0.

• WPI baseball coach Mike Callahan earned his 300th career victory in the Engineers’ 4-3 win over Eastern Nazarene on Sunday. Callahan, who grew up in Worcester and starred at St. Peter-Marian, is 300-254-1 in his 17 seasons at WPI. Callahan was the NEWMAC Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017, and in 2009, he guided the Engineers to their first at-large bid to the NCAA Division 3 championship.

—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTolandTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Former Nashoba softball standout Gina Hinckley provides the power for Franklin Pierce