Pitching allows just nine hits on day

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (February 27, 2016) – The bats hammered out 17 more runs, while sophomore right-hander John Amendola (Wallingford, Conn.) and senior right-hander Paul Covelle (Medford, Mass.) combined to allow just one run over 15 innings in their starts on Saturday, as the No. 4/5 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team picked up two more wins at The Ripken Experience. The Ravens shutout Queens (N.Y.), 9-0, and followed up with an 8-1 win over Bridgeport in a pair of neutral-site, non-conference contests.

With the wins, Franklin Pierce improves to 4-0 to start the season. Queens fell to 2-2 with its loss to the Ravens, while Bridgeport dropped to 1-1.

Against Queens on Saturday, the first four innings went scoreless, before the Ravens -- playing as the visiting team -- got the only three runs they would need, in the top of the fifth inning. Senior first baseman Matt O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.) opened the inning with a single and moved to second when senior second baseman Kurtis White (Nahant, Mass.) followed with a bunt single. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, senior right fielder Max DiTondo (Marshfield, Mass.) scored O'Herron with an RBI groundout, which also moved White to third. White would score from there on an RBI single by sophomore catcher Christopher Stanford (Quebec City, Quebec). Stanford moved to second on a groundout and came around to score on an RBI double by senior center fielder Maxx Sheehan (San Jose, Calif.).

Franklin Pierce broke the game wide open with five more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Senior shortstop Justin Brock (Latham, N.Y.) had the inning's biggest blow, with a two-run single to score DiTondo and Stanford. Brock would ultimately score as part of a successful, first-and-third double-steal play. Earlier in the frame, junior third baseman Jay Jabs (Schwenksville, Pa.) walked and eventually scored on a double-play ball, and junior designated hitter Chris LaVorgna (North Haven, Conn.) singled and ultimately scored on a wild pitch.

With both starting lineups mostly done for the game, Franklin Pierce tacked on an unearned run in the top of the seventh to create the 9-0 final. With one out, freshman Vince Lakes (Dorchester, Mass.) clubbed a pinch-hit double. He would come around to score on an error in the outfield after sophomore John Friday (Southborough, Mass.) knocked a pinch-hit single.

Amendola -- a transfer from Northeastern -- took the ball for the first time as a Raven on Saturday. He fired seven shutout innings, allowed just four hits, did not issue a walk, hit a batter and struck out eight on the way to the win (1-0).

On the other side of the ledger, freshman left-hander Robert Amato (0-1) threw the first 5.2 innings and took the loss for the Knights. He allowed six runs on six hits, walked four, hit two batters, threw a pair of wild pitches and struck out just one.

Later, against Bridgeport, Franklin Pierce played as the home team, and fell behind 1-0 after the Purple Knights plated a run in the top of the third inning. Junior center fielder Tyler Gambardella started things with a one-out single into center field and came all the way around to score two batters later on a two-out, RBI double to left by junior left fielder Cam Overbaugh.

Franklin Pierce had the answer immediately, with two runs in the bottom half of the third to take the lead for good. After the first two batters of the inning were retired, Brock worked a two-out walk, stole second and scored on an RBI double into the gap in left-center by Sheehan. Sheehan would then steal third and score as graduate student left fielder Matt Burns (Parkland, Fla.) followed and beat out an infield single to pick up an RBI.

The Ravens tacked on three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to push the lead to 5-1. LaVorgna led off with a walk and went first-to-third on a single to center by O'Herron, who took second on the throw to third on the play. White followed and reached on a fielder's choice, picking up an RBI as well, as the Bridgeport defense could not record an out on the play. O'Herron would score on a sacrifice fly to center by DiTondo, while White later scored all the way from first on an RBI double by Stanford.

Franklin Pierce all but put the game on ice in the bottom of the eighth, with three more runs to create the 8-1 final. DiTondo led off with a walk and moved to second as Stanford was hit by a pitch. After a double steal put the runners at second and third, Sheehan reached on a fielder's choice, which saw DiTondo erased at the plate. The Ravens would then be gifted their three runs, as Burns was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Jabs worked a walk to force home Stanford and LaVorgna was hit by a pitch to drive home Sheehan. Burns would then score on a wild pitch to cap the day's scoring.

Covelle made his first start of the season on the mound for the Ravens. He fired eight innings, allowed one run on three hits, did not issue a walk and struck out seven to pick up the win (1-0).

For Bridgeport, senior right-hander Rob Anderson (0-1) threw the first four innings and took the loss. He allowed two runs on two hits, walked three, hit a batter and struck out three.

The Ravens return to the field on Sunday, Feb. 28, when they wrap up their trip to the Palmetto State with a non-conference game against defending East Region champion Wilmington (Del.). First pitch is set for 9 a.m. at The Ripken Experience.

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).