Ravens regroup for three games against Dowling next weekend

YAPHANK, N.Y. (March 2, 2013) – Sophomore left-hander Steve Hathaway (Acton, Mass.) struck out nine over seven innings in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, but received no run support, as the No. 7/10 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team was defeated, 2-0, by Wilmington (Del.) in non-conference, neutral-site play at Baseball Heaven. In the first game, a hit batsman, a walk and an error led to an unearned run in the top of the 11th inning to give Wilmington a 6-5 victory.

With the losses, Franklin Pierce falls to 5-4 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Wilmington improves to 5-2 (0-0 CACC). The first game was scheduled for nine innings and the second game for seven, with Franklin Pierce playing as the home team in both tilts. It was only the sixth time in program history the team has lost four games to the same team in the same season, and the first time it dropped four consecutive games all against the same opponent.

In the first game, Wilmington opened the scoring with two runs, and only one earned, in the top of the first inning. With one out, sophomore right fielder Jon Castro was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, junior third baseman Josh Hampton hit a single, and runners wound up at second and third on the play after an error by junior center fielder Calvin Graves (Boston, Mass.). Senior shortstop Jonathan Rodriguez followed with a single to drive in both runs.

Franklin Pierce jumped to a 3-2 lead with three runs, two unearned, in the bottom of the fourth. Senior right fielder Nick LaCroix (Grafton, Mass.) led off the inning with a home run, his second of the season and second in as many days. Junior designated hitter Marty Dunlap (Dorchester, Mass.) and sophomore third baseman Matt O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.) then reached on back-to-back errors. Dunlap scored on an RBI single by freshman second baseman Justin Brock (Latham, N.Y.), which also moved O'Herron to third. O'Herron then scored on a squeeze bunt by Graves.

The Wildcats answered with a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 3-3. Sophomore catcher Matt Lopes worked a lead-off walk, but was erased at second as senior center fielder Jordan Johnson bounced into a fielder's choice. Johnson would come around to score from first on an RBI double by Castro.

Wilmington took a 4-3 lead with an unearned run in the top of the sixth. Rodriguez led off and reached on an error by O'Herron at third. Rodriguez moved to second and third on consecutive groundouts and scored on an RBI single by junior designated hitter Kyle Lindstrom.

The Ravens answered with two runs in the home half of the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. O'Herron led off with a single and was lifted for sophomore pinch runner Ryan Boswell (New Bedford, Mass.), who moved to second on a groundout and took third on a passed ball. Later in the inning, after Graves had walked and stole second, senior shortstop Dan Kemp (Sturbridge, Mass.) put Franklin Pierce in front with a two-run single.

Wilmington tied the game and ultimately forced extra innings with a run in the top of the eighth. Rodriguez led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout. After an intentional walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, Lopes put the ball in play on the left side. Lopes would reach on an error, but did get credit for an RBI on the play as Rodriguez came in to score.

After the ninth and 10th went without a run, an unearned run in the top of the 11th won it for Wilmington. Johnson was hit by a pitch leading off and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a one-out walk, Hampton grounded the ball to third base, where it was misplayed by sophomore Josh Rouse (Milford, Conn.), which allowed the run to come around to score.

Junior right-hander Kevin McGowan (Nashua, N.H.) took the ball, threw the first six innings and did not factor in the decision for the Ravens in the first game. He allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out two. Freshman right-hander Paul Covelle (Medford, Mass.) pitched the 11th and took the loss (0-1) out of the bullpen. He allowed the one unearned run without allowing a hit, but did walk one and hit one while striking out one.

Sophomore left-hander Ray Gambone started for Wilmington and also saw his day end long before there was a decision on Saturday. Over 5.1 innings, he allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out four. Freshman right-hander Peter Monahan pitched a scoreless 10th while allowing one hit to pick up the win (2-0) in relief. Junior right-hander Jarrett Shaffer threw a perfect 11th to earn the save (1).

In the second game, the only run Wilmington needed was another unearned tally, which came in the top of the fourth inning. Hampton led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on an RBI single by Rodriguez.

The Wildcats tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh to create the 2-0 final. Senior left fielder Brandon Payne slugged a lead-off double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a squeeze bunt by sophomore second baseman Brendan Fallers.

Hathaway got the call and went the distance for the Ravens in the second game. He was charged with two runs (one earned) on six hits, walked one, hit a batter and struck out nine, but was tagged with the loss (0-1) anyway.

Sophomore right-hander Frank Samluk got the start and the win (1-0) on the hill for Wilmington. He threw five shutout innings, allowed two hits, walked two and struck out four. Shaffer tossed a perfect seventh to earn the save (2).

The Ravens return to action next weekend with three non-conference road games against Dowling at Golden Lions Field in Shirley, N.Y. The two teams will play a noon doubleheader on Saturday, March 9, as well as a single game at noon on Sunday, March 10.

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). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce baseball apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).