Mathieu slugs solo home run in second game

BOCA RATON, Fla. (March16, 2013) – Freshman shortstop Justin Brock (Latham, N.Y.) went 2-for-3 and scored twice on Sunday afternoon, as the Franklin Pierce University baseball team picked up a 5-4 win in the first game of a non-conference, neutral-site doubleheader against New Haven at McCusker Sports Complex on the campus of Lynn University. In the second game, an RBI single by senior right fielder Stephen Clout in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference as New Haven responded with a 2-1 victory.

With the split, Franklin Pierce moves to 9-7 (0-0 Northeast-10), while New Haven stands at 5-3 (0-0 Northeast-10). All seven of Franklin Pierce's losses have been by either one or two runs. Both games on Sunday were of the seven-inning variety. Franklin Pierce played as the home team in the first game, while New Haven served as the home club in the second.

In the first game, New Haven opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second inning. Junior designated hitter Chris DeMorais led off with a single, moved to second on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by senior second baseman Andrew Johnson.

Franklin Pierce answered immediately with two runs in the home half of the second to take the lead for good. Brock led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI double by junior designated hitter Marty Dunlap (Dorchester, Mass.). Dunlap would move to third on a single by sophomore third baseman Matt O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.) and score when junior left fielder Eric Romano (North Branford, Conn.) bounced into a fielder's choice.

The Ravens pushed the lead to 5-1 with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third. Senior right fielder Nick LaCroix (Grafton, Mass.) opened the frame with a walk and moved to second on a single by junior first baseman Zach Mathieu (Derry, N.H.). Brock followed and dropped down a bunt single, which would have loaded the bases, but an error by New Haven freshman left-hander Connor Moriarty allowed LaCroix to score from third, while moving Mathieu and Brock to third and second, respectively. Mathieu scored two batters later on an RBI groundout by Dunlap, before O'Herron knocked a double to drive home Brock.

New Haven set about a three-run rally of its own in the top of the fourth, but would ultimately leave the tying run stranded at third. A walk to sophomore center fielder Brendan O'Reilly, a single by DeMorais and a walk to junior third baseman Brendon Buckley loaded the bases with nobody out. Johnson promptly unloaded the bases with a three-run triple, giving him four runs batted in on the afternoon.

Franklin Pierce pitching would also strand the tying run at third in the top of the sixth before locking down the 5-4 win.

Junior right-hander Kevin McGowan (Nashua, N.H.) got the start for Franklin Pierce, but tossed only 3.1 innings. He was tagged for four runs on four hits, walked two and struck out six in that time. Junior right-hander Travis Landry (Loudon, N.H.) worked the next 2.1, without allowing a run or a hit to pick up the win (2-0) out of the bullpen, while walking one and striking out one. Junior right-hander Joe Flynn (Plymouth, Mass.) made his 2013 debut -- as well as his first appearance since March 31, 2012 -- and pitched a perfect seventh with two strikeouts to earn his first career save.

Moriarty started and threw the first three innings on the hill for New Haven. He was touched for five runs on eight hits, walked one, hit two batters and did not record a strikeout on the way to the loss (0-1).

Franklin Pierce opened the scoring in the second game with a run in the top of the second inning, though it would prove to be the team's only run of the game. Mathieu led off the inning with a solo home run, his first of the season.

New Haven tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, O'Reilly hit a single, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI double by Buckley.

The Chargers plated another single run in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead and ultimately create the 2-1 final. Freshman shortstop Nick Nunziato worked a lead-off walk, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI single by Clout.

Freshman right-hander Paul Covelle (Medford, Mass.) took the ball in the second game for the Ravens and threw the first four innings. He allowed one run on four hits, walked two and did not record a strikeout. Junior right-hander Rob Blanc (Sandy Hook, Conn.) came on for the fifth and walked the only batter he faced, Nunziato, who would later score and leave Blanc with the loss (0-1).

Senior right-hander Frank Vilacha tossed the first 6.2 innings for New Haven. He allowed one run on four hits, walked one, hit three batters and struck out four while picking up the win (2-0). Senior right-hander Peter Jay took over with two outs and the tying run on second in the top of the seventh. He forced a game-ending groundout to pick up his third save of the season.

The Ravens return to the field on Monday, March 18, when they travel to Nova Southeastern for a non-conference contest. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at NSU Baseball Complex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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).