Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa

FLUSHING, N.Y (3/1/2024) -- The Franklin Pierce baseball team scored three unanswered runs in the seventh inning to beat Queens College 5-2 Friday morning to pick up their second win of the season.

Score: Franklin Pierce 5, Queens 2
Records: Franklin Pierce (2-4, 0-0 NE-10), Queens (4-1, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Flushing, N.Y (Hennekens Stadium)
Date: Friday, March 1, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• Franklin Pierce opened the scoring in the top of the first when graduate infielder Ian Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT) had an RBI double, scoring graduate outfielder Eli Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT).

• In the bottom of the first, Queens College responded with two runs of their own. Sophomore outfielder Jorsixt Jimenez homered for the first time this season, and it was a two-run home run to right center field to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. Raven sophomore outfielder Joey Acker (Upton, MA) scored from third base in the top of the third on an RBI groundout by Eli Battipaglia to tie the game at two.

• In the top of the seventh, Franklin Pierce scored three runs. Graduate catcher Christopher Roberti (New Fairfield, CT) had an RBI double to left field, scoring sophomore transfer first baseman Nolan DeAndrade (Bridgewater, MA) for Franklin Pierce to regain the lead. Redshirt junior infielder Hunter Paquette (North Walpole, NH) had an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, scoring junior transfer infielder Kiobel Lugo (Boston, MA) to make it 4-2 Ravens. Roberti made it 5-2 Franklin Pierce when he scored on an error by the Knights. Franklin Pierce held on to win 5-2 and picked up their second win of the season.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:

• Senior pitcher Kyle Roche (Braintree, MA) started for the third time this season for Franklin Pierce. He pitched six innings where he gave up three hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out 10 batters. He picked up his second win of the season.

• Junior pitcher Esteban Rivera III (Hamden, CT) relieved Roche pitching 2.1 innings. He gave up no hits and struck out one batter. Junior pitcher Stephen Bangs (Stoughton, MA) closed out the game and pitched two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one batter and picked up his first save of the season.

• Both teams had three errors. Franklin Pierce outhit Queens 4-3.

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS:

• The Ravens play later in the day Friday against Post University at Hennekens Stadium, with first pitch at 1 p.m.