Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa 

PHILADELPHIA, P.A (3/17/2024) –  The Franklin Pierce University baseball finished their weekend 2-2 following two days of double headers with the Rams of Jefferson University. On Sunday afternoon, the Ravens dropped game one 9-3, but turned it around in game two to secure the 8-3 victory.  

Score: (Game 1): Franklin Pierce 3, Jefferson 9
Score: (Game 2): Franklin Pierce 8, Jefferson 3
Records: Franklin Pierce (6-7, 0-0 NE-10), Jefferson (9-6, 0-0 CACC) 
Location: Philadelphia, P.A (Alumni Field) 
Date: Sunday, March 17, 2024 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, Franklin Pierce scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Junior transfer infielder Kiobel Lugo (Boston, MA) reached first base on a fielder's choice, and graduate outfielder Eli Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT) scored to make it 1-0 Franklin Pierce. Then, freshman outfielder Michael Quiros (Springfield, MA) scored on a wild pitch. The Ravens got their third run when Lugo scored on a Jefferson error. 

• Jefferson got a run on their own in the bottom of the first when junior infielder Justin Espinal reached base on a throwing error, scoring sophomore infielder Gabe Silva. In the bottom of the third, Jefferson tied the game at three. Silva scored his second run of the game on a wild pitch. Then, Espinal grounded out to short, and freshman infielder Justin Egner scored from third base. 

• In the bottom of the fifth, senior outfielder Marquise Wood hit a grand slam to left field to give Jefferson a 7-3 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, sophomore outfielder Joshua Lopez doubled down the left field line, scoring Espinal and senior outfielder Jay Kalieta. The Rams held on and beat the Ravens 9-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the season series. 

• In Game 2 of the doubleheader, The Rams jumped to a 2-0 lead when Wood singled to right center field, scoring Joshua Lopez, and senior infielder Chris McLean homered to left field. 

• In the top of the fourth, Franklin Pierce scored three unanswered runs to take the lead 3-2. Lugo had an RBI double, scoring graduate shortstop Ian Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT). Next, sophomore transfer first baseman Nolan DeAndrade (Bridgewater, MA) doubled down the third base line, scoring Lugo to tie the game. Graduate catcher Christopher Roberti (New Fairfield, CT) had an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, scoring DeAndrade. 

• The Ravens added a run in the top of the fifth when Quiros singled up the middle, scoring Eli Battipaglia. In the top of the sixth, the Ravens had the bases loaded, and Roberti scored when Eli Battipaglia was hit by a pitch. Ian Battipaglia had a two RBI single to make it 8-2 Franklin Pierce. 

• The Ravens held on to win game two of the doubleheader 8-3 to pick up their sixth win of the season and split the season series against Jefferson. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• In Game 1, sophomore pitcher Kyle Salvati (Mount Sinai, NY) got his second start of the season and pitched four innings. He gave up two hits, two runs, four walks, and struck out two batters. Senior pitcher Sean Foody (Tappan, NY) came in relief and pitched 1.2 innings. He gave up six hits, six runs, and four walks. He picked up his first loss of the season. Redshirt sophomore pitcher Sean Yoest (Foxborough, MA) closed out the game and gave up no hits. 

• In Game 2, graduate pitcher Chaz Powell (Stamford, CT) picked up his first win of the season and pitched 4.1 innings. He gave up five hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out one batter. Senior pitcher Tyler McDonald (Haverhill, MA) came in relief and pitched 2.2 innings. He gave up two hits, no runs, three walks, and struck out one batter. 

• Jefferson outhit Franklin Pierce 15-12. 

• The Rams left 14 batters on base, and the Ravens committed four errors. 

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Ravens hit the road to Pleasantville, New York, for their first conference doubleheader of the season against Pace University on Friday, March 22. Game one is at noon, followed by game two at 3 p.m.