Ingui, Kemp, Wenrich each hit home run; Thompson fans eight

BOCA RATON, Fla. (March 12, 2011) – Senior designated hitter Derek Ingui (Sterling, Mass.) hit a two-run home run to cap a seven-run top of the second inning, while junior third baseman Isaac Wenrich (Westlawn, Pa.) clubbed a three-run home run in the fifth inning on Saturday afternoon as the No. 4/7 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team posted a 12-0 victory over Felician in neutral-site, non-conference action at McCusker Sports Complex on the campus of Lynn University. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Thompson (Fort McMurray, Alberta) struck out eight over seven shutout innings on the mound.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 9-0 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Felician falls to 10-9 (0-0 Central Atlantic). The victory extended the program record for most consecutive wins to begin a season. Through their first nine games, the Ravens have outscored their opponents 80-12.

Playing as the visitors, Franklin Pierce opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first inning. Junior second baseman Dan Hennigan (Downingtown, Pa.) started the game with a lead-off walk and then moved around to third on an errant pick-off throw. He would come in to score on a sacrifice fly to center field by sophomore left fielder Nick LaCroix (Grafton, Mass.).

The Ravens then broke the game wide open with seven runs in the second inning. Ingui had the big blow of the inning with a two-run home run, his team-leading fourth of the season, which pushed the lead all the way to 8-0. Earlier in the inning, LaCroix and senior right fielder Mike Munoz (Bronx, N.Y.) each hit RBI doubles, while Wenrich drove in his first of four runs on the afternoon with a single. Also in the frame, freshman center fielder Calvin Graves (Boston, Mass.) was credited with a steal of home on a first-and-third, double-steal play.

Sophomore shortstop Dan Kemp (Sturbridge, Mass.) made it a 9-0 game in the third with a two-out solo home run, his first of the season.

Franklin Pierce would tack on three more runs in the fifth to create the 12-0 final. Ingui worked a walk and Munoz was hit by a pitch to put two men on base in front of Wenrich, who cracked a three-run home run, his second of the season.

On the mound, Thompson got the start and picked up the win (3-0) for Franklin Pierce. Over seven shutout innings, he allowed five hits, did not issue a walk, struck out eight and faced just three batters over the minimum. So far this season, the University of Connecticut transfer has allowed just one run over 24 innings (0.43 ERA), walked two and struck out 30.

Freshman right-hander Matt Marsh started and took the loss (2-2) for Felician. In two innings on the hill, he was touched up for eight runs on six hits, walked three and struck out one.

The Ravens return to the field on Sunday, March 13 for a neutral-site, non-conference contest against fellow Northeast-10 Conference member Adelphi. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Santaluces Sports Complex in Lantana, Fla.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). 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).