LAKE WORTH, Fla. – The first eight Bentley University batters reached and scored during a nine-run first inning and the Falcons hung on for an 11-10 non-conference win over Chestnut Hill College and a split of a baseball doubleheader Saturday at the Santaluces Sports Complex Saturday. Chestnut Hill took the opener by the count of 10-4.

In the scheduled seven-inning nightcap, Bentley carried an 11-6 lead into the bottom of the final inning. The Griffins scored four times and had the bases loaded before sophomore right hander Zach Zdimal (Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep) got a grounder to short for the game's final out.

Bentley's first inning included five hits, four walks (including two with the bases loaded), an error and a hit by pitch. Senior center fielder Max Troiani (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon HS) scored twice after reaching on a walk and an RBI single, and senior first baseman Ryan Berardino (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury Reg. HS) had two hits and two RBI.

What proved to be the winning run scored in the fifth when Troiani tripled to left with two outs and scored on a single to left from freshman designated hitter Steve Rizzuto (Belmont, Mass./Belmont HS).

Troiani, Berardino and graduate third baseman Jake Pierce (East Bridgewater, Mass./East Bridgewater HS) each had two hits for Bentley, which was outhit 11-10.

In the opener, Chestnut Hill took charge with four runs in both the third and fourth innings. The third included a two-run double by junior center fielder John Contoudis (Jenkintown, Pa.) and the fourth saw four different Griffins drive in runs, including Contoudis with a single up the middle.

Bentley's six hits included two by Pierce, who finished the twinbill four for eight, and a two-run homer to left by Rizzuto.

The Falcons received four quality innings of one-hit relief from junior righty Jimmy Cunningham (Chatham, N.J./ Chatham HS), who walked one and struck out three.

Bentley, 2-5, and Chestnut Hill, 1-1, will wrap up their three-game series Sunday morning at 11 am.