Lundin notches six-inning shutout

MANCHESTER, N.H. (April 8, 2015) – Sophomore right-hander Mike Lundin (Kingston, Mass.) allowed three hits over six shutout innings, while a passed ball and an error led to three unearned runs on Wednesday afternoon, as the No. 3/4 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team picked up a 5-0, six-inning, snow-shortened win over Southern New Hampshire in Northeast-10 Conference, Northeast Division play on the road at Penmen Field. Graduate student right-hander David Gibson struck out five over 5.2 innings in defeat for SNHU.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 28-2 (9-1 Northeast-10, 7-1 Northeast Division) and has now won nine in a row, while SNHU falls to 14-7 (2-2 Northeast-10, 2-2 Northeast Division). The two teams have now split the first two games in the season series, with the rubber contest set for April 22 at SNHU. Wednesday marked the first time since May 19, 2012 -- a run of eight games -- a contest between the two teams was decided by more than three runs. Earlier in the day, the start time of the game had been moved up to 2:30 p.m. to try to fit the game in before the incoming inclement weather, which ultimately caused the contest's shortening. It was the first game away for Pappas Field for the Ravens after 11 straight home games.

The Ravens got the only run they would need on Wednesday afternoon with an unearned tally in the top of the second inning. After senior catcher Matt Walsh (Plymouth, Mass.) led off with a single to right, junior first baseman Matt O'Herron (Springfield, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice, which saw Walsh erased at second. O'Herron then moved to second on a single back up the middle by sophomore designated hitter Chris LaVorgna (North Haven, Conn.), took third on a passed ball and scored on an RBI groundout by sophomore second baseman Kyle Hood (Arlington, Mass.).

Another two unearned runs in the top of the third pushed the lead to 3-0. With one out, junior center fielder Maxx Sheehan (San Jose, Calif.) was hit by a pitch and moved to second as sophomore shortstop Jay Jabs (Schwenksville, Pa.) reached on an error by SNHU senior third baseman Bryan Toland. After a double steal moved the runners to second and third, senior right fielder John Razzino (Cranston, R.I.) drove in Sheehan with an RBI groundout. Jabs moved to third on the Razzino groundout and scored on an RBI single back up the middle by Walsh.

Two more runs for Franklin Pierce in the top of the fourth rounded out the scoring and created the 5-0 final. LaVorgna walked leading off, stole second and moved to third on a single to center by Hood. After Hood stole second, LaVorgna scored, as the Penmen had to throw out junior left fielder Kurtis White (Nahant, Mass.) at first on a dropped third strike. Hood moved up to third on the strikeout and scored when freshman third baseman John Friday (Southborough, Mass.) followed with an RBI bounce out.

Lundin used 87 pitches (51 strikes) to get through six shutout innings before snow forced the game to draw to an early conclusion. He allowed just the three hits, walked two, hit a batter and struck out five on the way to the win (5-0).

On the other side, Gibson needed 94 pitches (66 strikes) to get through 5.2 innings. He was charged with five runs (two earned) on five hits, walked two, hit a batter, struck out five and took the loss (3-1) on the hill for the Penmen.

The Ravens return to the field on Saturday, April 11, when they return home to host Saint Rose in a cross-division Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader. First pitch of the twinbill is set for noon at Pappas Field in Rindge.

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).