Baseball Blitzed Twice at Bentley, 14-3 and 11-1, Drops Weekend Series

WALTHAM, Mass. (April 13, 2019) – The Franklin Pierce University baseball team produced minimal offense and had an even harder time recording outs on Saturday afternoon, as the Ravens were swept in a Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division doubleheader at Bentley. The host Falcons had 25 men circle the bases at DeFelice Field on the day, as they rang up 14-3 and 11-1 victories. It marked the first wins for Bentley over Franklin Pierce since 2013, which was also the last time the Falcons were able to win the three-game series between the two teams.

With the losses, Franklin Pierce falls to 16-15 (9-6 NE10, 5-4 NE Div.), while Bentley improves to 11-18 (8-7 NE10, 5-4 NE Div.).

Game 1: Bentley 14, Franklin Pierce 3

In the first game, Bentley plated seven runs over the opening three innings – four in the first, one in the second and two in the third – and never looked back.

In the first, it was three straight run-scoring hits with two outs, as senior designated hitter Brandon Grover knocked an RBI single back up the middle, junior left fielder Luke Figueira dumped an RBI single into right field and senior right fielder Gino Fordiani socked a two-run double to left-center. In the second, junior third baseman Jake Pierce cashed in a run with a single to center. In the third, junior center fielder Max Troiani drilled a two-out triple over the head of the center fielder to plate a pair of runs.

Franklin Pierce did its only scoring with a run in the fourth and two more in the ninth, with the game well out of hand. In the fourth, a double to left-center by senior second baseman Carmine Giordano (New Rochelle, N.Y.) scored sophomore third baseman Josh Tower (Auburn, Mass.). In the ninth, freshman first baseman Jethro Hurt (New York, N.Y.) provided a two-run triple to left-center field.

Junior right-hander Derek Duffy (Farmington, Conn.) started on the mound for the Ravens, but departed after just two innings and would suffer the loss (3-1). He surrendered five runs (one earned) on six hits, walked one and did not record a strikeout.

Senior right-hander Paul Frisoli (3-1) threw 122 pitches (68 strikes) over the first six innings for Bentley. He allowed just one run on four hits, walked five and struck out six. Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Hodgson picked up his second save of the season, despite the huge final deficit, by virtue of throwing the final three innings for the Falcons. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked one and struck out three.

Game 2: Bentley 11, Franklin Pierce 1

It was more of the same in the second game of the day, as Bentley scored at least one run in each of the second through sixth innings to build up the 11-1 lead which stood as the final score.

The Falcons would score four times in the bottom half of the second to take the lead for good. Junior catcher Christopher Butler, sophomore shortstop Kyle Halloran and graduate student second baseman Mike Samko each provided RBI singles in the inning, while Pierce drove in a run with a groundout.

Franklin Pierce's only run of the second game came in the top of the third. Freshman center fielder Joel Lara (Boston, Mass.) led off with a four-pitch walk and stole second. He later stole third as well, and scored on a throwing error by Butler on the play.

Senior left-hander Evan Glew (North Andover, Mass.) took the ball for Franklin Pierce in the second game and lasted just three innings. He was tagged for six runs on six hits, walked three, struck out two and suffered the loss (1-3).

Meanwhile, Bentley turned to junior left-hander Lloyd Hill (1-0), who threw 91 pitches (52 strikes) over the opening seven innings on the way to the win. He allowed one unearned run on three hits, walked four, hit a batter and struck out three.

The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, April 17, when they return home to host rival Southern New Hampshire in an NE10 Northeast Division contest. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Pappas Field in Rindge. 

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.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 baseball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).