MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (February 23, 2017) – Held without a hit until the sixth inning on opening night, the No. 7/12 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce University baseball team was never able to generate any offense on Thursday, as it suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Felician in non-conference, neutral-site play at The Ripken Experience. Senior designated hitter Brennan Price did the game's only damage, cranking a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce opens its season at 0-1, while Felician starts off at 1-0. For the Ravens, it marked the first season-opening loss since 2006, when they dropped an 8-4 decision on the road at South Carolina Upstate, before bouncing back to win the final two games of the three-game series. The 2006 squad ultimately finished the season as national semifinalists.

The only offense of the day on Thursday came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Playing as the home team, Felician got a leadoff baserunner, as junior first baseman Jason Polgano worked a seven-pitch walk off of Franklin Pierce junior right-hander John Amendola (Wallingford, Conn.). After a groundout moved the runner to second, Price -- who checks in at 6-foot-9 and 275 pounds -- provided the keynote address, with a two-run home run to left-center field.

It was the only blemish of the day against Amendola (0-1), who went six innings and tossed 70 pitches (48 strikes) while starting the opener. He allowed just the two runs on only two hits, walked one and struck out four.

On the other side of the ledger, senior right-hander John Holland (1-0) carried a no-hitter into the sixth and tossed 88 pitches (52 strikes) to throw six shutout innings of one-hit ball. He issued two walks and struck out eight.

Franklin Pierce would get the tying run into scoring position in the sixth against Holland, and in the seventh against the Felician bullpen, but could not capitalize on either opportunity. In the sixth, an error, a single by junior center fielder Tim Going (Islip, N.Y.) and a passed ball put runners at second and third with one out for the top of the order, but senior shortstop Lucas Luopa (Keene, N.H.) lined out back to Holland and junior third baseman John Friday (Southborough, Mass.) flew out to right field to end the threat. In the seventh, it was also runners at second and third with one out, but Felician senior right-hander Rob Naughton came on to strike out both senior right fielder Zack Tower (Auburn, Mass.) and junior catcher Stephen Octave (New Windsor, N.Y.) to preserve the lead.

Junior right-hander Dan Naif allowed one hit and one walk, but threw shutout ball over the final two innings to pick up his first save of the season.

The Ravens return to the field on Friday, Feb. 24, when they remain in Myrtle Beach to square off with Queens (N.Y.) in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at The Ripken Experience.

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).