Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa   

ALBANY, N.Y. (4/21/2024) — Franklin Pierce University's baseball hot streak ended Sunday afternoon after the Saint Rose Golden Knights swept the Ravens in a NE10 doubleheader.

Score (Game 1): Franklin Pierce 5, St. Rose 9  
Score (Game 2): Franklin Pierce 2, St. Rose 3 (F/7 Innings) 
Records: Franklin Pierce (20-13, 14-6 NE-10), St. Rose (17-16, 11-8 NE-10)  
Location: Albany, N.Y (Bob Bellizzi Field)  
Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024  

HOW IT HAPPENED:  

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Ravens struck first in the top of the second. Graduate transfer catcher Christopher Roberti (New Fairfield, CT) had an RBI double, scoring senior infielder Connor Smalley (West Sayville, NY). In the top of the sixth, sophomore transfer first baseman Nolan DeAndrade (Bridgewater, MA) had a single to third base, and graduate infielder Ian Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT) scored from third to give the Ravens a 2-0 lead. Then, Roberti had a 2 RBI double, scoring DeAndrade and senior outfielder Hunter Wilichoski (Hamilton, MA) to make it 4-0 Franklin Pierce. In the top of the seventh, the Ravens added another run when junior transfer infielder Kiobel Lugo (Boston, MA) reached first on an error, and graduate outfielder Eli Battipaglia (Cheshire, CT) scored. 

• Everything was going well for the Ravens, but the Golden Knights had other ideas in the bottom of the seventh when they scored five runs to tie the game at five. St. Rose had four hits, all of which were singles. 

• In the bottom of the eighth, St. Rose had four runs on five hits to take a 9-5 lead over Franklin Pierce. The Golden Knights held on to take game one of the doubleheader. 

• In Game 2, St. Rose scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Nathan Toms singled to left center field, scoring James Ward. Next, Mike Benedetto had an RBI triple, scoring Toms. 

• In the top of the third, Eli Battipaglia had an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Smalley to cut the Golden Knights lead in half. Then, sophomore outfielder Joey Acker (Upton, MA) advanced to second on a wild pitch, and redshirt freshman catcher Brycen Tetler (Plymouth, MA) scored from third to tie the game at two. 

• In the bottom of the third, Ward singled and advanced to second. Vince Venditti scored on an error to make it 3-2 St. Rose. The Golden Knights held on to complete the doubleheader sweep and improved to 17-16 on the season and 11-8 in the NE-10 conference. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:  

• In Game 1 of the doubleheader, junior pitcher Esteban Rivera III (Hamden, CT) pitched six scoreless innings, and gave up one hit, five walks, and struck out four batters. Junior pitcher Stephen Bangs (Stoughton, MA) came in relief and pitched 0.2 innings. He gave up four hits, five runs, one walk, and struck out one batter. Senior pitcher Sean Foody (Tappan, NY) replaced Bangs and pitched 0.2 innings. Foody gave up three hits, four runs, one walk, and struck out no batters. Freshman Jamie Legget (Southington, CT) closed the game and pitched 0.2 innings. He gave up two hits and struck out no batters. 

• St. Rose outhit Franklin Pierce 10-9. The Golden Knights had nine of their ten hits in the final two innings. 

• Ian Battipaglia went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Wilichoski went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Roberti went 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs. 

• In Game 2, graduate pitcher Chaz Powell (Stamford, CT) pitched a complete game and picked up his third loss of the season. He gave up six hits, two runs, two walks, and struck out two batters. 

• St. Rose outhit Franklin Pierce 6-5. Both teams had one error. 

• Smalley went 2 for 3 and scored a run. DeAndrade went 1 for 3. 

NEXT FOR THE RAVENS:  

• The Ravens return to Albany, New York, on Tuesday, April 23, to play one more non-conference game against St. Rose. First pitch is set for 1 PM.