Razzino scores twice, steals two bases

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (March 1, 2015) – Senior right-hander Brendan O'Rourke (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and sophomore right-hander Mike Lundin (Kingston, Mass.) combined to face just 30 batters and strike out 14 on Sunday afternoon, to lead the way for the No. 9/12 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team in a 3-0 shutout of Mercy in non-conference play at Mavericks Field. Senior right-hander Bryan Greig struck out six over seven innings in defeat for Mercy.

With the wins, Franklin Pierce improves to 6-0 (0-0 Northeast-10) and has won six straight to start the season, while Mercy falls to 0-6 (0-0 East Coast).

The two teams traded zeros across the first six innings in the frigid weather Sunday, as neither side could scratch out a run. In fact, through the first six innings, each team was only able to put four runners on base, while moving only two each as far as second base.

Franklin Pierce finally broke through with the eventual game-winning run in the top of the seventh. Senior right fielder John Razzino (Cranston, R.I.) opened the inning with a single back up the middle, stole second and moved to third as the catcher's throw got away on the stolen base attempt. He would score from there on a sacrifice fly to right by junior first baseman Matt O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.).

The Ravens later tacked on a pair of unearned insurance runs in the top of the ninth to create the 3-0 final. Razzino started things again, this time as he reached on an error by sophomore third baseman Michael Grudzinski. Razzino stole second, moved to third on a flyout to right by senior catcher Matt Walsh (Plymouth, Mass.) and scored on an RBI bunt single by O'Herron. O'Herron then moved to second on a groundout and later came around to score on a throwing error by the catcher.

O'Rourke started and threw six shutout innings to pick up the win (2-0) on the mound for Franklin Pierce. He allowed three hits, did not issue a walk and struck out eight. Lundin came on to start the seventh, retired the first six batters he faced and then worked around a leadoff double in the ninth to pick up his first collegiate save. Lundin struck out six batters over his three innings of work.

Greig threw the first seven innings on the hill for Mercy. He allowed one run on three hits, walked two, struck out six and suffered the loss (0-1).

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, March 7, when they travel to Dowling for a non-conference doubleheader to open a four-game weekend series. First pitch is set for noon at Golden Lions Field in Shirley, N.Y.

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).