When and Where: May 18, 2023 – Hooksett, N.H. (Penmen Field)
Score: #5 Pace University 10, #4 Franklin Pierce University 5
Records: FPU 34-18, Pace 34-19



HOOKSETT, N.H. - Josh Miller drove in three runs, including a three-run homer in the second, and nearly hit for the cycle to propel fifth-seeded Pace University to a 10-5 victory against fourth-seeded Franklin Pierce University on Thursday in Game 1 of the NCAA Baseball Championship East Regional 1 at Southern New Hampshire University's Penmen Field.

Pace, the NE10 Champions, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first against all-region pitcher Kyle Roche. Following a leadoff double and a walk, Mitchell McCabe singled through the left side to make it 1-0. With the bases loaded and one out later in the frame, Hunter Goldstein dropped a bloop into right that Franklin Pierce turned into a 9-6-5 double play, but not before the run scored to make it 2-0.

After a sacrifice fly in the home half of the inning tied the game, the Setters grabbed some breathing room in the top of the second on a three-run blast to right-center off the bat of Miller. A two-out RBI single through the right side from Luke Jacobi extended the Pace lead to 6-1.

A sac fly from Franklin Pierce in the third chipped away at the deficit, while the Ravens finally collected their first hit of the game against the Pace bullpen in the fourth. An Ian Battipaglia RBI double and a run-scoring groundout pulled FPU within 6-4.

Pace halted the Franklin Pierce momentum in the top of the fifth, as two walks set up a three-run inning that stretched the advantage to 9-4.

A Jacobi RBI single in the top of the eighth was answered by a run-scoring single from Max Gebauer in the bottom of the frame to move the score to 10-5.

Vincent Civitella started and pitched well for the Setters, not allowing a hit over three-plus innings, but wound up being charged with four runs on seven walks and struck out five. Michael Roll (3-0) collected the win for Pace in relief, giving up one run on four hits over five innings, while punching out nine and walking one.

Roche (8-3) relinquished six runs on six hits, walking three and striking out just one, over an inning-and-two-thirds.

Miller finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored, falling a single short of hitting for the cycle. Jacobi finished 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Mason Baronian went 2-for-4 with a walk and scored twice. McCabe was also 2-for-4 with a walk, RBI and a run scored. Goldstein was 1-for-4 with a walk, RBI and a run scored.

Battipaglia (two walks, RBI, two runs), Gebauer (walk, RBI, run) , Joel Lara (two walks, RBI), Joey Acker (walk, two runs) and Jose Savinon (two walks) were all 1-for-3 for the Ravens.

Pace will take on top-seeded SNHU on Friday at 11 a.m., while FPU will try to avoid elimination against the Penmen later Thursday (3:15 p.m.).

For up-to-date information on the entire tournament, visit the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship East Regional I central page.

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