Ingui picks up two hits in defeat

LANTANA, Fla. (March 13, 2011) – Graduate student right fielder Omar Velazquez hit a key two-run double in the sixth inning on Tuesday afternoon as Adelphi defeated the No. 4/7 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team, 5-1, in neutral-site, non-conference play at Santaluces Sports Complex. Senior designated hitter Derek Ingui (Sterling, Mass.) hit 2-for-4 in the loss for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 9-1 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Adelphi improves to 5-5-1 (0-0 Northeast-10. The defeat halts a nine-game winning streak for Franklin Pierce. The streak was the longest season-opening winning streak in program history.

Playing as the home team, Adelphi opened the scoring with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior catcher Richard McCarren led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by junior third baseman Jamie Liebowitz.

Franklin Pierce briefly knotted the game at 1-1 with an unearned run in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore shortstop Dan Kemp (Sturbridge, Mass.) led off and reached on an error by Liebowitz, but was erased at second base as freshman center fielder Calvin Graves (Boston, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice. Graves went first-to-third on a single by junior second baseman Dan Hennigan (Downingtown, Pa.) and scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by sophomore center fielder Nick LaCroix (Grafton, Mass.).

However, Adelphi took control of the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior designated hitter Justin Farnum and Liebowitz led off the frame with back-to-back singles before the former scored on an RBI single by sophomore first baseman Anthony Zarrella. Junior second baseman Craig Matteo made it four singles in a row to start the inning and an error on the play allowed Liebowitz to score and put runners at second and third. After a walk to senior center fielder Trevor Thorstensen loaded the bases, Velazquez cracked a two-run double to widen the lead to 5-1, the eventual final score.

Sophomore right-hander Joe Flynn (Plymouth, Mass.) started on the mound and took the loss (1-1) for Franklin Pierce. Over 5.1 innings on the rubber, he allowed five runs on nine hits, walked two and struck out seven.

Senior left-hander Mike Scudero went the distance on the hill and picked up the win (2-1) for Adelphi. He allowed just one unearned run on four hits, did not issue a walk and struck out 12.

The Ravens return to the field on Tuesday, March 15 when they visit Nova Southeastern for a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at NSU Baseball Complex in Fort Lauderdale, 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).