BOX SCORE

When and Where: April 13, 2016 – Rindge, N.H. (Pappas Field)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 5, Franklin Pierce University 3
Records: SNHU 27-3 (12-1 NE-10, 6-1 NE-10 NE), Franklin Pierce 28-4 (10-2 NE-10, 5-1 NE-10 NE)

Senior Tim Viehoff (Derry, N.H.) allowed just one run and junior Manny Cruz (Wolcott, Conn.) was on base four times and scored twice as the eighth-ranked Southern New Hampshire University baseball team recorded a huge 5-3 win against fourth-ranked Franklin Pierce University on Wednesday evening at Pappas Field.

Southern New Hampshire jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third on an RBI single to center from graduate student Mike Mastroberti (Ramsey, N.J.) and a two-out, two-run single through the left side by fellow grad student Ryan Gendron (Nashua, N.H.).

SNHU nudged the lead to 4-0 in the fourth when junior Zach Goldstein (Merrick, N.Y.) hammered a two-out RBI single to right-center.

Franklin Pierce scraped one across in the sixth on Maxx Sheehan's run-scoring single up the middle off Viehoff, but the Penmen answered it in the seventh when Cruz drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a wild pitch to re-capture the four-run lead at 5-1.

The Ravens made it interesting against sophomore Jake Walkinshaw (Seymour, Conn.) in the ninth. Walkinshaw retired the first two batters, but Franklin Pierce followed with a Max DiTondo single to right, a Max Stanford two-run homer to left-center and a Justin Hood double down the line in left to bring the tying run to the plate. The Penmen went to the bullpen for sophomore Ivon Clough (Dublin, N.H.), who struck out Sheehan looking to end the game.

Viehoff (7-0, 1.93 ERA) allowed just one run on two hits, while striking out six and walking three, over five-and-two-thirds innings. Walkinshaw was charged with two runs on four hits in three innings, striking out four and walking a pair. Clough recorded his first career save by striking out the only batter he faced.

Cruz was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and two runs scored, while Goldstein went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Mastroberti was 1-for-3 with a walk, RBI and run, with Gendron finishing 1-for-5 with two RBI. 

Notes:
- At 27-3, the team is off to its best start ever. The 2012 squad that advanced to the Division II College World Series was 25-5 through its first 30 games.
- Coincidentally, SNHU avenges a 5-3 loss at Franklin Pierce back on March 30. The two teams meet one more time during the regular season April 27 (6 p.m.) at Penmen Field.
- Franklin Pierce is ranked No. 1 in this week's NCBWA East Region Poll, while Southern New Hampshire is No. 2.
- The Penmen have won 13 of their last 14, including nine straight.
- Southern New Hampshire is outscoring its opponents, 92-19, during its current nine-game winning streak.
- Over his last four starts, Viehoff is 4-0 with a 0.32 ERA. Over the 28 innings during the stretch, Viehoff has allowed just 10 hits, while striking out 36 and walking only six.
- Cruz has recorded a hit in 20 of his last 22 games.

Up Next:
The Penmen are back in action Friday, April 15 (3 p.m.) when they take on crosstown-rival Saint Anselm College. The next home game for the Penmen is Saturday, April 16 when they play host to Assumption College in doubleheader action that begins at 3 p.m. at Penmen Field.

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