Macias clubs key three-run double

Box Score

RINDGE, N.H. (April 30, 2009) – Sophomore shortstop Jose Macias (Bronx, N.Y./Monroe College) clubbed a bases-clearing, three-run double in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game and sophomore designated hitter Derek Ingui (Sterling, Mass./Wachusett Regional) followed with what would prove to be the game-winning double on Thursday night as the Franklin Pierce University baseball team defeated Stonehill, 6-4, in Northeast-10 Conference play at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field.

Stonehill opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning. Junior shortstop Mitch Davis (Bow, N.H./Bow) led off with an infield single deep in the hole at shortstop and moved to second on a bunt single down the third-base line by sophomore second baseman Scott Hackett (Bangor, Maine/Bangor). Senior third baseman Nate Weber (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) followed with a double down the right-field line which scored Davis and pushed Hackett around to third. Hackett would later score on a sacrifice fly to right field by sophomore first baseman Angelo Bruno (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk), which also moved Weber over to third. Weber in turned scored on an RBI single which dropped just inside the left-field line for junior left fielder Thomas Marino (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City).

The Skyhawks extended the lead to 4-0 with a run in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman right fielder Kyle Shepard (Boxford, Mass./Masconomet) led off with a single into left-center field and moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Sophomore designated hitter Nick Nardacci (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) followed, laid down a bunt and the pitcher attempt to cut down Shepard at second. However, the fielder’s choice was unsuccessful and runners were on at first and third. Shepard then scored from third on a wild pitch.

Franklin Pierce then rallied to take a 6-4 lead with six runs in the home half of the seventh. With one run already across the plate in the inning, Macias came to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out and drove a bases-clearing double into the gap in right-center field to tie the game at 4-4. Ingui followed with a double into the right-field corner to score Macias and give the Ravens the lead. Freshman catcher Mike Dowd (East Bridgewater, Mass./Cardinal Spellman) then capped the inning and drove home Ingui with an RBI double up against the fence in right-center.

Senior left-hander James Palmer (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham) threw seven innings to pick up the win (4-2) on the hill for Franklin Pierce. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits, walked two, threw a wild pitch and struck out seven. Sophomore right-hander Rob Nicholas (Northboro, Mass./Algonquin Regional) did not allow a hit, walked two and struck out three over the final two innings to pick up his eighth save of the season.

Freshman left-hander Matt Olsen (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) took the loss (3-1) on the mound for Stonehill. Over 6.2 innings, he surrendered five runs on six hits, walked two, hit a batter and struck out seven.

The win was the 30th of the season for Franklin Pierce, marking the eighth consecutive season of 30 or more wins for the program.

The Ravens (30-15, 21-6 Northeast-10) return to the field on Saturday, May 2, when they host Massachusetts Lowell in a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for noon at Dr. Pappas Field. The second game of the doubleheader will be broadcast on WEEI 93.5 FM Keene at approximately 2:30 p.m. Stonehill (21-22, 11-16 Northeast-10) returns to action on May 2 at home against New Haven.