Razzino clubs solo home run

RINDGE, N.H. (May 17, 2015) – The No. 1/3 nationally ranked, top seed and host Franklin Pierce University baseball team -- which bettered program records all season long -- saw its 2015 campaign draw to a close without a regional title on Sunday afternoon, as the Ravens suffered a 5-3 defeat to fourth-seeded Wilmington (Del.) in the semifinal round of the NCAA Championship East Regional at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field. Senior left-hander Ray Gambone allowed just one earned run and struck out seven over seven innings to lead the way for Wilmington.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce concludes its season at 48-4, one off the program record for wins. With the win, Wilmington improved to 36-13 and advanced to meet sixth-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in the East Regional title game. Wilmington would win the title game, 11-9.

After leaving the bases loaded in the second, Franklin Pierce opened the scoring on Sunday in the bottom of the third. With two outs and nobody on, senior right fielder John Razzino (Cranston, R.I.) turned on a second-pitch fastball and launched his fourth home run of the season an estimated 360 feet to straightaway left.

The lead was short-lived, as Wilmington plated four runs in the top of the fourth to take a lead it would not relinquish. Junior third baseman Mike Annone had the big blow of the inning with a two-run single, while senior right fielder Brendan Fallers had an RBI single in the frame as well. The remaining run came across to score on an error.

Franklin Pierce cut the deficit to 4-2 with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth. Junior left fielder Kurtis White (Nahant, Mass.) singled up the middle and went to second on an error by the center fielder on the play. White moved to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly to left by junior center fielder Maxx Sheehan (San Jose, Calif.).

Wilmington added an insurance marker in the top of the eighth. Senior second baseman Josh Swirchak was hit by a pitch leading off, moved to second on a groundout and scored on an RBI single up the middle by senior catcher Matt Lopes.

Franklin Pierce threatened to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, but settled for one run and left the bases loaded for the second time. Razzino scored the inning's only run by reaching on a bunt single and eventually scoring when sophomore designated hitter Chris LaVorgna (North Haven, Conn.) worked a six-pitch walk with the bases loaded.

Junior right-hander Paul Covelle (Medford, Mass.) took the ball for Franklin Pierce, but was chased after 58 pitches (39 strikes) and 3.2 innings. He allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, did not issue a walk, hit a batter and struck out three while taking the loss (5-1).

Gambone threw 91 pitches (64 strikes) over the first seven innings on the mound for Wilmington. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits, did not issue a walk and struck out seven to pick up the win (5-1). Senior right-hander Tyler Fries threw shutout, one-hit ball with a pair of walks over the final 1.2 innings to nail down his 13th save of the season.

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).