RINDGE, N.H. (4/25/2026) - Highlighted by senior Colin Hoffman's three-run home run, Franklin Pierce split a doubleheader with Southern Connecticut, falling 6-5 in game one before bouncing back with a dominant 7-0 victory in game two. Behind a complete game, 10 strikeout performance from Matt Lee and a strong offensive showing, the Ravens evened out on the day.
Score: Game 1: Franklin Pierce 5, Southern Connecticut 6 Game 2: Franklin Pierce 7, Southern Connecticut 0 (7 inn.)
Records: Franklin Pierce 11-27 (9-21 NE10), SCSU 13-26 (9-19 NE10)
Location: Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field, Rindge, N.H.
Date: April 25, 2026
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
- Stephen Bangs started on the mound for Franklin Pierce, keeping SCSU off the board through three innings, striking out three before the Owls were able to tack on a run. In the top of the fourth inning, the SCSU scored on a ground out.
- The Ravens answered in the bottom of the fourth inning, after Joey Acker stole second base and continued his run through home plate on a throwing error by the Owls catcher to tie the game at one.
- SCSU tacked on a second run in the fifth inning on an RBI single, and then extended the lead with a three run homer in the top of the sixth.
- A solo home run by Rafael Rodriguez Rosa on the first pitch of the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Ravens their second run of the game. Just after, Thomas Dillon singled up the middle to score Curt Boyd, bringing the score to 5-3.
- The Owls added their sixth and final run of the game in the top of the seventh inning on a solo home run.
- Franklin Pierce added on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, on an error by the Owls' first baseman bringing Boyd and Rodriguez Rosa over the plate to bring the score to 6-5. The final inning went scoreless, despite the Ravens having runners on in the bottom of the ninth, finalizing the score at 6-5 Owls.
Game 2
- Matt Lee was the starting pitcher for the Ravens, starting the game by striking out three in a row in the top of the first. Lee struck out three more through the top of the fourth inning before either team got on the board.
- In the bottom of the fourth inning, a single by Rafael Rodriguez Rosa scored Joey Acker for the first run of the game who had reached on a single to lead off the inning. A based-loaded ground out by Adam Ladinos proved to be productive, giving Franklin Pierce the 2-0 as Curt Boyd made it across the plate. To finish the inning, a home run by Colin Hoffman scored himself, Nathan Eckerson, and Rodriguez Rosa for the 5-0 lead through four innings.
- Lee struck out another two batters in the top of the fifth before the Ravens extended their lead in the bottom of the inning. A home run by Boyd sent himself and Jacob Roque home for two more runs.
- Lee struck out two more in the top of the seventh inning, followed by a game-ending ground out to Thomas Dillon, giving the Ravens the 7-0 win over the Owls.
BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
- Matt Lee led the Ravens pitching a full seven inning game, striking out ten while allowing only 7 hits and no runs.
- Curt Boyd and Colin Hoffman each homered in game two, adding 5 RBI.
- Rafael Rodriguez Rosa added a solo home run in game one.
- Boyd went 5-7 at the plate, scoring 4 runs and adding 2 RBI.
- Joey Acker was aggressive on the base paths, stealing two bases in game one.
UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: Franklin Pierce is back in action tomorrow against SCSU for games three and four of the conference series. First pitch for game one is set to start at 12:00 PM at Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Field in Rindge, N.H.