CARY, NC –
Luke Cantwell (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) and
Mike Ferrara (Jamison, Pa./Archbishop Wood) each hit home runs. But, it was not enough for the 22nd-ranked Golden Rams to overcome a seven-run sixth inning, as Franklin Pierce took a 9-5 decision at the U.S. Baseball National Training Complex Friday afternoon.
West Chester (6-1) dropped its first contest of the season to Franklin Pierce (5-2).
Cantwell got the Golden Rams going early with a home run to lead off the second. Ferrara then doubled in a run in the third to open up a 2-0 advantage. The Ravens plated their first run in the fifth to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
Franklin Pierce broke the game wide open in the sixth with seven runs on seven hits to take an 8-2 lead. They would tack on one more in the seventh, before Ferrara's two-run homer in the top of the ninth closed out the scoring.
Ferrara finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and Cantwell 1-for-4 with his fifth home run of the season.
Zack Wright (Columbus, N.J./No. Burlington County Regional) also had two hits.
Left-handed starter
Braeden Fausnaught (Danville, Pa./Danville) pitched the first five innings and did rather well. He surrendered just one run on four hits. He walked three and struck out nine.
West Chester returns to the training complex on Saturday for a split doubleheader. The Golden Rams will take on The College of Saint Rose at 2:30 p.m. and then Frostburg State at 6:30 p.m.
