CARY, N.C. (March 7, 2020) – The offense exploded for 14 runs as the Franklin Pierce University baseball team got back on track with a 14-3 win over Frostburg State University on Saturday evening at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. Senior first baseman Jonel Ozuna (New York, N.Y.) continued his strong start to the campaign going 2-for-3 with three walks, three RBIs and scoring three runs while sophomore right-hander Danny Gracia (Wilmington, Mass.) was strong on the hill to earn his first win of the young season.

Franklin Pierce, playing as the visitors, posted nine hits and drew 14 walks in the win to improve to 5-6. The Bobcats, on the other hand, fall to 4-8 on the season.

The Ravens jumped on the board right away in the first when sophomore center fielder drew a walk, stole second and advanced to third on an error fielding the throw by sophomore shortstop Nick Benitez. Graduate student third baseman Tyler Patane (Lake Grove, N.Y.) got hit by a pitch before Ozuna drove in Lara on a single to center. After senior catcher Dylan Jones (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) drew a walk, senior left fielder John Mead (Washington Township, N.J.) brought home a pair of runs smoking a double to right field to give Franklin Pierce a 3-0 advantage after one inning of play.

The Bobcats got on the board in the bottom of the second as junior catcher Andy Iglesias led off by taking a base on balls and later stole second base. With two outs, Benitez singled to score Iglesias but got picked off to end the inning.

The crimson and grey got back on the board in the third as Patane singled and Ozuna drew ball four to start the inning. Jones dropped down a sac bunt before Mead reached on an error by the third baseman. Junior designated hitter Charles Lebron (Brooklyn, N.Y.) then chased home two of runs on a single to right but a strike him out, throw him out double play ended the threat.

After Frostburg State got one back in the fourth, the Ravens broke the game wide open in the top of the fifth. The Bobcats pulled senior starting pitcher Franco Velasquez in favor of freshman right-hander Ryan Graham and Franklin Pierce jumped all over him. Mead led off with a walk, Lebron singled and sophomore right fielder Graham Smith (Wilmington, Mass.) reached on an infield singled to load the bases. Mead would score ahead of the first out of the inning being recorded then sophomore shortstop Randy Flores (Brooklyn, N.Y.) took a walk. Lara drove in two shooting a single into center forcing another pitching change as junior righty Josh Clegg entered and promptly walked Patane to load the bases again. Ozuna drew an RBI walk and Jones hit an RBI ground out to give Franklin Pierce a 10-2 advantage.

The crimson and grey pieced together another four runs in the seventh. Lara stroked a lead-off single, stole second and Patane took his third walk of the day to give the Ravens two on with no outs. Ozuna brought home Lara with a single to right before Jones got plunked. A pair of runs scored on wild pitch and Lebron drove in his third run of the game with an RBI fielder's choice.

The Bobcats scratched across a run in the eighth but it did not matter as the Ravens finished the win.

Gracia was strong across seven innings of work allowing just two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out a pair to earn his first win of the season. As a staff, the Ravens allowed just one leadoff batter to reach base. Velasquez took the loss for Frostburg State after allowing five runs on four hits and six walks over four innings while striking out three.

Franklin Pierce continues their seven-game stretch in Cary, N.C. when they face off against Philadelphia University on Sunday, March 8th. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.

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' brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).