Jabs clubs two-run double

RINDGE, N.H. (March 11, 2015) – Senior right-hander Conor Gleason (North Stonington, Conn.) struck out seven over 5.2 shutout innings on Wednesday afternoon, to start the No. 9/12 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team on the way to a 6-0 win over Pace in non-conference play at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field. Senior catcher Tom Midolo went 2-for-4 with a double in defeat for Pace.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 9-0 (0-0 Northeast-10), while Pace falls to 0-5 (0-0 Northeast-10). For the Ravens, it is the first 9-0 start since the 2011 campaign. The most recent winning streak of nine or more games for the team came in 2013, when the club won 12 straight from March 23 through April 7.

The Ravens plated the only two runs they would need in the bottom of the first inning on Wednesday afternoon. Junior center fielder Maxx Sheehan (San Jose, Calif.) worked a five-pitch walk leading off, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI single to left by senior right fielder John Razzino (Cranston, R.I.). Razzino then stole second and third before senior first baseman Matthew O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.) took a five-pitch walk to put runners at the corners and two away. Razzino would then steal home as well, as he broke for the plate on a pickoff throw to first by Pace senior left-hander Jonathan Chudy and beat the relay throw home from the first baseman.

Franklin Pierce struck for three more runs in the bottom of the third to push the lead to 5-0. Junior shortstop Justin Brock (Latham, N.Y.) took a four-pitch walk leading off and moved to second when Sheehan was hit by the fifth pitch of his plate appearance. Both runners would score when sophomore third baseman Jay Jabs (Schwenksville, Pa.) followed and clubbed a 1-0 pitch deep into the gap in right-center field for a two-run double. Jabs stole third and later scored on a wild pitch.

The Ravens later added another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to create the 6-0 final. Senior catcher Matt Walsh (Plymouth, Mass.) led off and slugged an 0-1 pitch over the head of the center fielder for a long double. He moved to third on a groundout to the right side by O'Herron and scored when sophomore left fielder Chris LaVorgna (North Haven, Conn.) lifted a sacrifice fly to center field.

Gleason needed 96 pitches (57 strikes) to get through 5.2 shutout innings on the hill before departing with runners at second and third in the sixth. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out seven to pick up the win (1-0). Senior right-hander Paul Fahey (Dorchester, Mass.) stranded both inherited runners and did not allow a hit over the next 1.1 innings as he, senior right-hander Doug Willey (Shelburne, N.H.) and junior right-hander Adam Fournier (Dartmouth, Mass.) combined to pitch one-hit ball the rest of the way while finishing off the shutout.

Chudy threw 63 pitches (32 strikes) over the first three innings on the hill for Pace. He surrendered five runs on just two hits, walked four, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and struck out four while taking the loss (0-2).

The Ravens return to the field on Thursday, March 12, when they remain home to host Assumption in a non-conference contest. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Pappas Field.

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).