RINDGE, N.H. (March 21, 2017) – Returning home for the first time in 2017, the Franklin Pierce University baseball team jumped out with three runs in the first and two more in the second on Tuesday afternoon and cruised to an 11-0 victory over Post in non-conference play. Senior designated hitter Chris LaVorgna (North Haven, Conn.) led the way for the offense with a 3-for-5 day at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field, including three doubles, while scoring three times and driving in two runs.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 8-6, while Post falls to 3-10-1.

The Ravens opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning on Tuesday and never looked back. Senior shortstop Lucas Luopa (Keene, N.H.) led off the inning by dumping a first-pitch single into left-center field and came all the way around to score two batters later, when LaVorgna clubbed an RBI double down the left-field line. LaVorgna moved to third on a groundout, before junior right fielder Adam Chase (Bridgewater, Mass.) took a five-pitch walk. Junior catcher Stephen Octave (New Windsor, N.Y.) was next and plated both runners by going the other way, against an outfield shift, and pumping a two-run double to straightaway right field.

Franklin Pierce picked up two more runs in the second to push the lead to 5-0. Junior third baseman John Friday (Southborough, Mass.) started things with a two-out single to right. LaVorgna followed and socked the ball to left-center field. Post junior center fielder Alex Wright made a sliding attempt on the ball, but could not come up with it, which allowed Friday to score from first as LaVorgna pulled into second with an RBI double. LaVorgna would score as junior first baseman Dalton Davis (Birmingham, Ala.) followed and pulled an RBI single through the right side of the infield.

Meanwhile, junior right-hander Mike Lundin (Kingston, Mass.) made the start, continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery. Lundin (1-0) went the first four innings, threw 54 pitches (36 strikes), did not allow a run and surrendered just two hits. He walked one and struck out four on the way to the win.

The Ravens pushed the lead to 8-0 with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. LaVorgna started things with a two-out double the other way and down the right-field line. Davis followed and went the other way as well, knocking an RBI single to left field to plate LaVorgna. Chase was next and lifted a towering fly ball to deep center field. Ranging back near the warning track, Wright made a leaping attempt at a catch and got his glove on it, but could not secure the baseball, which allowed Chase to scamper for a triple as Davis came around to score. Chase would then score from third on a wild pitch.

Three more runs in the bottom of the seventh for Franklin Pierce created the 11-0 final. Senior second baseman Kyle Hood (Arlington, Mass.) was hit by a pitch leading off, took second on a wild pitch and scored on a double inside the bag at third and down the left-field line by junior center fielder Harrison Smoske (Burlington, Mass.). Smoske scored two batters later, as Friday lifted a home run of an estimated 370 feet to left-center field. It was Friday's first collegiate home run.

Senior right-hander Joseph Enderle (0-2) started on the mound and threw 89 pitches (60 strikes) over six innings for Post. He was tagged for eight runs on 13 hits, walked one, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch and struck out two while taking the loss.

The Ravens are currently scheduled return to the field on Saturday, March 25, for a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader against Le Moyne at 2:30 p.m. at Pappas Field

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).