Franklin Pierce off to a hot start
Manchester, NH—Trevor Graham allowed three hits as sixth seeded Franklin Pierce defeated top seed Wilmington (Del.) 7-0 in the opening game of the D-2 Northeast Regional. Dan Kemp went two for three at the plate with two RBI and scoring a run, along with Calvin Graves who had a good day scoring three run. Defense played a key role in the win for Franklin Pierce with an all-around great team performance shutting out the Wildcats.
Wilmington starting pitcher Dave Hatt struggled against the Ravens by hitting three batters, two of which resulted in coming around to score. Hatt gave up four hits and six runs through seven innings before being relieved at the top of the eighth inning by Tim Racek who was impressive with two strikeouts in an inning of work. Peter Monahan pitched the ninth for Wilmington allowing a hit and a run to end the game for the Wildcats. The Wildcats just couldn’t seem to get their offense going tallying three hits with Jon Castro, Josh Hampton, and Sam Giones all picking up a hit.
When asked about the game Franklin Pierce Coach Jayson King talked about the pitching stating, “Trevor Graham set the tempo on the mound, and Dan Kemp had some big hits for us. Overall it was a good team win.” The Ravens upsetting the Wildcats in game one means that Franklin pierce will face the loser of tonight’s game (University of New Haven vs. Southern New Hampshire University) tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Also Wilmington (Del.) will face the loser of the second game (St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Pace) tomorrow at 11:00am. The winner of game 2 will face the winner of game 3 tomorrow at 7:00pm
Defense gets Pace the win in Game 2
The Setters defense got 5th seed Pace the 3-0 shutout defeating 2nd seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in game 2 of the D-2 Northeast Regional. The Setters tallied nine hits, with Chris Gili (2 of 5), and Charlie Galasso (2 of 4) leading the offense. Three runs were scored with Joe Solomeno, Ian Wukitsch, and Jon Kovel all picking up an RBI. Jonathan Chudy had a solid day on the mound with four strikeouts, and allowing eight hits in a complete game shutout.
St. Thomas Aquinas was hitting the ball as well as Pace but couldn’t get the key hit. Pitcher Robert Frank allowed nine hits and three runs while earning six strikeouts through eight innings. Nick May pitched a perfect ninth inning while striking out a batter. Nicholas Barbalato had a great day at the plate for the Spartans going three for four, and Stanely Susana went 2-3.
Following the game Pace Catcher Joe Solomeno had this to say,” Even though we were the lower seeded team we didn’t let that bother us. Good pitching by Jonathan Chudy and solid defense is what really earned the win.” When asked about preparing for tomorrow’s game without knowing their opponent yet, Pace’s head coach Henry Manning said this, “It’s no different than preparing for any other game. We’re not going to focus on who were playing, were going to focus on minimizing mental mistakes and not giving up free outs and runs.” Wilmington (Del.) will take on 2nd seeded St. Thomas Aquinas at 11:00 am. Franklin Pierce awaits its opponent as they are set to take on the loser of game 3 (New Haven vs. Southern New Hampshire University) tomorrow at 3:00pm. While Pace will take on the winner of the UNH vs SNHU game.
SNHU gets the win at home
Junior Mendez lead the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen to a 9-0 win over the University of New Haven in game 3 of the D-2 NE regional. Mendez recorded nine strikeouts and allowed four hits. David Gibson relieved Mendez in the 8th striking otu the side and Joe McCarthy followed in the ninth by completing the feat.
SNHU’s hitting was phenomenal with a team total of 11 hits. Brendan O’Brien went 2 of 5 scoring three runs, and Matt Boulter went 2-5 scoring once and earning 2 RBIs.
For New Haven Henry Hirsch started the game and allowed three runs to score before being pulled after getting only a single out in the first inning. Joey Royer took over allowing seven hits and six runs to score. Taylor Candage finished the game for the Chargers allowing three hits but didn’t give up any runs. O’Reilly, Romanelli, Nunziato, and Buckley each went 1-3 giving the Chargers a total of 4 hits.
At the conclusion of day 1 at the D-2 NE regional the games for tomorrow are set, Wilmington (Del.) will face St. Thomas Aquinas in an elimination game at 11:00am, Franklin Pierce will take on the University of New Haven (facing elimination) at 3:00pm, and finally the 7:00pm game will be Southern New Hampshire University taking on Pace.
