Recap by student-staff writer Colin Struckman  

RINDGE, NH (5/4/2024) – The Franklin Pierce University Ravens baseball team fell short in a back-and-forth thriller against the Southern New Hampshire Penmen on Saturday evening, losing 6-5 in their season finale.  

Score: Franklin Pierce 5, Southern New Hampshire 6 
Records: Franklin Pierce (25-16, 18-9 NE-10), Southern New Hampshire (31-16, 20-7 NE-10) 
Location: Pappas Field, Rindge, NH 
Date: May 5, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Penmen opened the floodgates in the top of the 1^st inning. They struck for 3 runs on 2 hits to take an early 3-0 lead. Nater Wachter reached on a fielder's choice which brought in a run, Jake Pisano ripped an RBI single to left field, and Jake Risedorf reached first on an error, scoring a run.  
• The Ravens chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the 1^st. Joey Acker (Upton, Mass.) led the inning off with a single to third. Then, Brennan Staubley (Plainville, Conn.) followed it up with a single through the left side, moving Acker over to third. Ian Battipaglia (Cheshire, Conn.) kept the train moving by drilling a double down the right field line, scoring Acker and cutting the deficit to 3-1.  
• The Ravens went on to tie the game in the bottom of the 3^rd. Eli Battipaglia (Cheshire, Conn.) was hit by a pitch with 2 outs, bringing up Kiobel Lugo (Boston, Mass.). Lugo smoked a no doubter to deep left field for a 2-run homer, tying the game at 3 a piece.  
• The score wouldn't be tied for long. Jorge Burgos launched a solo homer in the top of the 4^th, as the Penmen regained the lead 4-3.  
• The Ravens battled back in the bottom of the 7^th. Julien Monks (Pace, France) drew a leadoff walk to begin the inning. Then, Joey Acker reached first on an error by the pitcher. Both Acker and Monks advanced bases on a passed ball, with both runners in scoring position for Ian Battipaglia. He took full advantage and rifled a single up the middle, scoring 2 runs to give the Ravens their first lead of the game, 5-4.  
• The Penmen were down to their final out in the top of the 9^th inning. Jamie Roldan came on as a pinch hitter and drew a 2-out walk with 1 on base already. Then, Harry Vargas Segura looped an RBI single through the right side, tying the score 5-5. The horrors for the Ravens continued as Dyrenson Wouters pulled a single to right field, scoring the go-ahead run to give the Penmen the 6-5 lead.  
• The Ravens went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9^th, coming up empty in their season finale.  

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• The Penmen outhit the Ravens 8-6 
• The Ravens recorded 2 errors, the Penmen recorded 1 
• Ian Battipaglia led the Ravens in hits, going 2-5 with 3 RBIs 

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens begin their Northeast-10 playoff run with a first-round matchup at home on Tuesday (5/7) against the Bentley Falcons. First pitch is at 6 p.m. at Pappas Field.