Cummings brilliant in game one; Ravens bats explode in nightcap

DENNIS, Mass. (April 6, 2003) - Franklin Pierce, receiving votes in this week's National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II poll, found its swing with the Conference-mandated wood bats and steamrolled Stonehill College in a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader sweep at Dennis-Yarmouth High School this afternoon. Franklin Pierce took game one, 9-1, before coasting to an 18-3 win in game two.

Franklin Pierce claimed its first doubleheader sweep of the season in a match-up of the top two teams in this week's New England Division II poll. The Ravens banged out a combined 27 hits after totaling just three each in their first two Conference games earlier this week. Franklin Pierce outscored Stonehill 27-4 for the day and held the Chieftains scoreless for a 14-inning stretch between the first inning of game one and inning seven of the nightcap.

In game one, freshman right-hander Tyler Cummings (South Paris, Maine/Oxford Hills) allowed an unearned run on three hits to set the tone for the Franklin Pierce pitching staff. Cummings (2-1) went the distance for the Ravens striking out ten and walking just one.

Junior Dante Blancarte (Amesbury, Mass./Amesbury) sparked an offense that totaled 12 hits in the game by hitting two-for-four with a double and three RBI. Senior Josh Coughlin (Keene, N.H./Keene) was 2-4, while freshman Shawn Hayes (Charlton, Mass./Holy Name) was also 2-4 with an RBI. Freshman Elliott Shea (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant) finished 2-3 for the Ravens.

The Ravens pinned Stonehill senior Mark Henry with his first loss in four decisions this spring as he was touched for nine runs, six earned, on 11 hits with three strikeouts and a walk in six innings.

Stonehill opened the scoring in the top of the first when junior Mike Schlittler reached on an error and later scored on a single by classmate Joe Mastromonaco.

Franklin Pierce knotted the score in the bottom of the second when senior Dan Close (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) singled, stole second, reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a single from freshman Nick Panza (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) with two outs.

The Ravens took the lead for good in the third as sophomore Eric Cavers (Otisfield, Maine/Oxford Hills) reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on a single from senior Paul McAuliffe (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro).

Franklin Pierce busted the game open with three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth. Cavers belted an RBI double and Blancarte laced an RBI single in the fifth inning. Hayes registered an RBI single in the seventh, while Cavers posted a sac fly and Blancarte a two-run double. 

 BOX SCORE

Batteries:
SC - Mark Henry, Pat Kent (7) and Mike Schlittler
FP - Tyler Cummings and Eric Cavers

WP: Cummings (2-1)
LP: Henry (3-1)
HR: None

In the nightcap, Franklin Pierce raced out to a 9-0 lead after two innings and never looked back in totaling a season-high 18 runs on 15 hits.

Sophomore right-hander Bryan Borowski (Clarksburg, Mass./Drury) turned in another solid start for the Ravens. He allowed just an earned run on three hits with a career-high 11 strikeouts and just three walks in seven innings of work to improve to 2-0.

Cavers hit 3-6 with a double and two RBI, while Coughlin was 3-5 with an RBI to pace the Ravens offense. Blancarte was 2-5 with a double and three RBI, while senior Mike Callahan (Worcester, Mass./St. Peter Marian) was 2-2 with a double and two RBI. Freshman Steve Stanley (Northfield, Mass./Pioneer) was also 2-2 with a double, while junior Clint Daggan (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis) chipped in a two-run double.

After plating a single run in the first, Franklin Pierce broke the game wide open with eight in the second. Cavers and Blancarte each registered two-run singles, while Callahan belted a two-run double and Coughlin notched an RBI single in the frame. 

 BOX SCORE

Batteries:
SC - Steve Considine, Billy Sittig (2), Billy McLane (3), Craig Lemire (6) and Dave Elliott and Daryl Bradford (6).
FP - Bryan Borowski, Keith Brouillard (8), Jake Tenney (9) and Eric Cavers, Shawn O'Brien (8)

WP: Borowski (2-0)
LP: Considine (3-2)
HR: None

Franklin Pierce (10-5, 3-1 NE-10), off to its best start in program history, is scheduled to host Saint Anselm College tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Stonehill (10-7-1, 1-3 NE-10) visits Saint Anselm College on Tuesday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.