Rindge, N.H. - The Dowling College baseball team saw their season come to an end as they fell to the top seeded Ravens of Franklin Pierce University 1-0 this afternoon in the second round of the NCAA East Regional Tournament. The Golden Lions finish at 27-17 on the season as the Ravens advance at 47-3.
The Golden Lions had runners on in the bottom of the first and second, but it was Franklin Pierce who scored first with a run in the top of the third. Justin Brock worked a one out walk and after stealing second and third came in on a sacrifice fly to left by Maxx Sheehan.
Dowling got themselves out of trouble in the top of the fourth when back to back two out singles had runners on first and second, but Dowling starter senior David Montiverdi picked Chris LaVorgna off first base end the inning.
Ravens threatened again in the top of the fifth when singles to center from Kurtis White and Justin Brock had runners had two runners on with one out prompting head coach Tom Caputo to go to bullpen for senior Brendan Butler. A fielder's choice recorded the second out of the inning putting runners on the corners, but Butler got Jay Jabs to line out to RJ Going at third for the final out.
After a lead off single to John Rizzino in the top of the sixth, Butler went on to retire the next ten batters he faced before a single to center by Matt Walsh in the top of the ninth. An infield single had runners on the corners with two outs, but Butler snagged a comebacker to send the Golden Lions to the bottom of the ninth down by just one, 1-0.
FPU's Miles Sheehan retired the Golden Lions in order in the ninth to secure the 1-0 went. Sheehan went the distance allowing just three hits while striking out nine.
A solid performance from Dowling's starter Montiverdi as he held the No. 1 Ravens to just one run on six hits in 4.1 innings of work. Butler provided 4.2 innings of scoreless relief with five strikeouts.
Provided by the Dowling Sports Information Department.
