MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Ken Morrisino (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) and freshman Shaine Carpenter (Florham Park, N.J.) each collected two hits and combined to drive in five runs, but the Saint Anselm College baseball team closed out its season with a 15-9 loss to third-ranked Franklin Pierce University on Tuesday evening at Sullivan Park.
The Hawks, who were mathematically eliminated from Northeast-10 Championship contention with the loss, end their season at 13-24 overall, including 10-14 in Northeast-10 play and 7-14 in the Northeast Division. The Ravens win their 20th straight contest to improve to 39-2, 21-1 NE-10, 17-1 NE-10 NE.
Franklin Pierce jumped out to a 5-0 lead against sophomore starter Autrey Gates (Pembroke, N.H.) on a sacrifice fly to left by John Razzino, a two-run double to left-center by Chris LaVorgna and a two-run single to left-center from Kyle Hood.
Saint Anselm grabbed one back in the second inning when sophomore Nick Bragole (Newburyport, Mass.) singled through the left side, moved to third on a double by freshman John Marculitis (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and scored on an RBI groundout to shortstop by freshman Dan Bodi (Westford, Mass.).
The Ravens hung another five-spot in the fourth against Gates and classmate Cameron Latta (Lowell, Mass.) on an RBI single to left-center from LaVorgna, a two-run double to left-center from Matt Walsh, a double to right-center from Matthew O'Herron and an RBI single off the pitcher by Justin Brock.
The Hawks cut into their deficit in the bottom half, of the inning, as they scored four runs to pull within 10-5. An RBI single up the middle from sophomore Matthew Flynn (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) plated the first run before Morrisino's sac fly to deep center brought in the second. Senior Joe Morin (Salem, N.H.) later drove in a run with a single off the pitcher, who then threw the ball away to let a second run score.
Franklin Pierce extended the lead to 12-5 in the fifth as they scored a run on a wild pitch and another via a LaVorgna sac fly to left.
Saint Anselm duplicated its four-run fourth with four more in the bottom of the fifth, however, to climb back in the game. Morrisino's two-run single to center, followed immediately by Carpenter's two-run double down the right-field line, pulled the Hawks within 12-9.
Saint Anselm was kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way, however, while Franklin Pierce tacked on three more runs. Jay Jabs' sac fly to center in the sixth nudged the lead to 13-9 before Kurtis White's RBI single in the ninth, which also brought home a second run on an error, closed the scoring.
Gates (0-3) was charged with seven runs on eight hits, striking out one and not issuing a walk over 3.0-plus innings. Latta allowed five runs – four earned – on six hits and a walk in 2.0 innings. Freshman Andy Williams (Merrimack, N.H.) gave up one run – unearned – on no hits and a walk in 1.0 inning of work, while junior Seve Llanio (Glen Arm, Md.) tossed 2.0 shutout innings, giving up a pair of hits, while striking out one and walking one. Junior Tom Hudon Merrimack, N.H.) pitched the ninth and was reached for two runs – one earned – on three hits, striking out two and walking zero.
Morrisino was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored, while Carpenter was 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Flynn (walk, RBI, two runs) and freshman Max Wadington (Burlington, Conn.) were both 2-for-4, with Bodi (RBI, two runs) and Bragole (run) each going 2-for-5. Marculitis was 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The Hawks were able to get to Franklin Pierce ace Mike Lundin, who came in at 7-0 with a 1.20 ERA. Lundin was tagged for five runs – four earned – on eight hits, striking out one and walking one in 3.1 innings.
This marked the final game for seniors Morin, Mike Hayden (Cranston, R.I.) and Dave Kent (N. Falmouth, Mass.).
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.
