RINDGE, N.H. (April 2, 2006) - Merrimack took five of six singles matches to seal a 7-2 victory over Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference men's tennis action this afternoon.

Senior Peter Arsenault (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) and freshman Steve Viglione (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) were both double-winners for Merrimack. Arsenault notched a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 4 singles after combining with junior Dan Hrobak (Nashua, N.H./Bishop Guertin) for an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles. Viglione registered a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles after teaming with senior Andy Severance (Gouldsboro, Maine/Sumner Memorial) for a victory at No. 3 doubles.

Sophomore Austin Gardella (Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk) was a double-winner for Franklin Pierce. He won a 7-6, 4-6, 7-5 battle with Hrobak at No. 3 singles after teaming up with freshman Dixon Simmons (Narragansett, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) for an 8-5 decision at No. 1 doubles.

Franklin Pierce (1-5, 1-5 NE-10) returns to the courts on Wednesday when it hosts the region's top team, Assumption College, at 3:30 p.m. Merrimack (8-3, 3-3 NE-10) faces Southern New Hampshire on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Merrimack 7, Franklin Pierce 2