RINDGE, N.H. (April 10, 2019) – Freshman Jethro Hurt (New York, N.Y.) cranked a three-run, pinch-hit triple to key a four-run fourth inning on Wednesday afternoon, as the Franklin Pierce University baseball team went on to a 9-3 win over Saint Anselm in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division play at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field. Junior shortstop James Boria (Massapequa, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice, while junior first baseman Jonel Ozuna (New York, N.Y.) added 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs for the Ravens in the victory.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 15-13 (8-4 NE10, 4-2 NE Div.), while Saint Anselm falls to 6-21 (2-10 NE10, 1-5 NE Div.). Franklin Pierce has now taken the first two games in the three-game season series. The teams will meet again on April 24 at Saint Anselm.

The game was tied at 2-2 through three-and-a-half innings, when Franklin Pierce used a three-hit, four-run bottom of the fourth to take control. Sophomore third baseman Josh Tower (Auburn, Mass.) led off with a single through the left side, before a single through the right side by senior second baseman Carmine Giordano (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and a four-pitch walk to junior catcher Dylan Jones (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) loaded the bases with one out.

The Ravens went to the bench, and sent Hurt to the plate as a pinch hitter in the bases-loaded spot. Hurt wasted no time, as he jumped on a first-pitch hanging breaking ball and drove it the other way into the gap in right-center field. All three runners came home to score as Hurt raced around to third with a triple. Freshman Joel Lara (Boston, Mass.) would pinch run for Hurt and later scored on a wild pitch.

Saint Anselm closed the gap to 6-3 with an unearned run in the top of the sixth. Freshman first baseman Payton Goodrich doubled the other way off the fence in right with one out and moved to third on a groundout. He would later come in to score while freshman shortstop Matt Collins reached on a two-out error.

Franklin Pierce put the game away with three insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh, as the Ravens opened the inning with five straight singles. Boria and senior left fielder Brad Roberto (San Diego, Calif.) reached with back-to-back infield singles in front of senior designated hitter Ural Forbes (Freeport, Bahamas) who attempted to lay down a sacrifice, but got on with a bunt single as Saint Anselm sophomore second baseman Matthew Butigian was late covering at first. Ozuna then pulled an RBI single into right field, which ended up plating two runs, thanks to an error. Tower followed with an RBI single as well, to left field, to cap the scoring.

Senior right-hander Zach Hart (Wallingford, Conn.) took the mound for Franklin Pierce and threw 100 pitches (68 strikes) over seven innings of work. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, did not issue a walk and struck out five on the way to the win (2-0).

Saint Anselm gave the ball to senior right-hander JJ Dunn (1-5), who used 107 pitches (58 strikes) to get through six innings. He was charged with six runs on eight hits, walked five, threw a wild pitch and did not record a strikeout, while taking the loss.

The Ravens return to the field on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, when they travel to Bentley for a three-game NE10 Northeast Division. The two teams will meet for a single game at 3:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a doubleheader at noon on Saturday, all at DeFelice Field in Waltham, Mass. 

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). 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 (https://www.fpuravens.com/store).