RINDGE, N.H. – Sophomore Joseph Morin (Salem, N.H.) and freshman Allan McQuarrie (Salem, N.H.) each knocked in a run, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team dropped a 9-2 decision against Franklin Pierce University on Tuesday evening at Pappas Field.
The Hawks drop to 8-14-1 on the season, including 3-4 in Northeast-10 play and 0-3 within the Northeast Division. The first-place Ravens, meanwhile, improve to 17-9 overall, including a perfect 7-0 in the conference and 4-0 within the division.
After Franklin Pierce moved out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI double down the left field line by Zach Mathieu, the Hawks tied it in the second when junior Dan Lagasse (Londonderry, N.H.) drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on McQuarrie's grounder to third.
The Ravens grabbed single runs in the fourth and fifth against Saint Anselm starter, junior Zachary Brian (Stoneham, Mass.), and then added two more in the sixth to open up a 5-1 lead.
Saint Anselm grabbed one back in the eighth when Morin doubled down the left field line to plate Lagasse, who reached on a fielder's choice following a leadoff single by sophomore Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.). FPU then widened the gap with a four-run eighth – highlighted by a two-run triple to right-center by Justin Brock – that put the game out of reach.
Brian (0-1) allowed four runs – three earned – on two hits, while walking four and striking out three. Senior William O'Connor (Worcester, Mass.) saw his scoreless earned run streak halted at 10.2 innings, but turned in another solid relief outing. O'Connor gave up a run on two hits and struck out a pair in 2.0 innings. Freshman Terrence Walsh (Milton, Mass.) was charged with four runs – three earned – on four hits in just 0.1 innings. Sophomore Ryan Cosmopulos (Seekonk, Mass.) tossed 0.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out a batter.
Morin was 1-for-1 with the RBI, while the Hawks' four other hits came from Hayden, senior Richie Manzi (Plymouth, Mass.) and junior Kyle Grumoli (So. Hadley, Mass.), who were all 1-for-4, as well as senior Robert Kelly (Aurora, Colo.), who went 1-for-5.
The Hawks return to action Wednesday, April 3 at 3:30 p.m. when they play a make-up affair against Southern New Hampshire University. The home opener for the Hawks will be Saturday, April 6 when they play host to American International College at Sullivan Park in doubleheader action that begins at noon. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @STAHawks.
