Recap by student-staff writer Colin Struckman 

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (2/22/24) – The Franklin Pierce University Ravens baseball team fell short in their season opener Thursday against the Post University Eagles, 8-3.   

Score: Post 8, Franklin Pierce 3 
Records: Franklin Pierce 0-1(0-0, NE10), Post 2-5(0-0, ECC)  
Location: Ripken Complex / Ebbets Field, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Ravens struck first in the bottom of the 1^st inning. Ian Battipaglia (Cheshire, Conn.) got hit by a pitch and stole second. With a runner in scoring position, Kiobel Lugo (Boston, Mass.) ripped a single to left field to score Battipaglia, putting the Ravens up 1-0.  
• The Ravens tacked on to their lead in the bottom of the 2^nd. Colin Hoffman (Longmeadow, Mass.) and Ian Battipaglia both walked, setting up Joey Acker (Upton, Mass.) with 2 outs in the inning. Acker smoked a single to center field, scoring Hoffman, which gave the Ravens a 2-0 lead.  
• The top of the 3^rd inning would come back to haunt the Ravens, as the Eagles struck for 5 runs on 4 hits, taking the 5-2 lead.  
• The Ravens responded with a run in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. Hunter Wilichoski (Hamilton, Mass.) hit a single to center field, followed by a single to right from Julien Monks (Pace, France). With two runners on, Christopher Roberti (New Fairfield, Conn.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Wilichoski, making it a 5-3 Eagles lead.  
• The rest of the ballgame wouldn't treat the Ravens kindly. The Eagles added a run in the top of the 4^th and the top of the 9^th to seal the victory, handing the Ravens an 8-3 loss.  

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS: 

• Ian Battipaglia had a game-high 2 hits for the Ravens, going 2-3 at the dish.  
• Joey Acker, Kiobel Lugo, and Christopher Roberti each had an RBI for the Ravens. 
• The Eagles outhit the Ravens 10-7. 

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS: 

• The Ravens will look to bounce back on Friday (2/23) against Wilmington (Del.).