Pleasantville, N.Y. – Zach Hart struck out eight and center fielder Adam Chase had a two-run double to lead fifth-seeded Franklin Pierce University to a 6-2 win over the third-seeded Le Moyne College baseball team in an elimination game on the third day of the NCAA Championships East Regional on Saturday evening at Pace University's Finnerty Field.
 
The Dolphins, who earned a berth in the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2012, conclude the season with a record of 34-17-1.

Le Moyne started the game's scoring with a run on one hit in the top of the second inning. Redshirt junior shortstop Ben Walsh (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) led off with a double to left field, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout by sophomore third baseman Nicholas Jacques (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Shenendehowa).

Franklin Pierce took advantage of a Le Moyne error in the third inning to tie the score at one. Shortstop Joe Napolitano drew a walk on four pitches to start the frame and then stole second with two outs. He came around to score as third baseman John Friday reached on a throwing error by the shortstop on what would have been the third out of the inning.

The Ravens took the lead with three runs on three hits and another Le Moyne error in the fifth inning. Napolitano started the action again with a single to the second baseman to start the frame. First baseman Mike Coggeshall then reached second on a throwing error by the third baseman on a sacrifice bunt attempt, which allowed Napolitano to move around to third. Chase followed with a ground-rule double to right center to plate Napolitano and Coggeshall. Friday then tripled to right field to drive in Chase.

Franklin Pierce extended its lead to 6-1 with two runs in the seventh inning on just one hit. Left fielder Brad Roberto walked with one out and designated hitter Stephen Octave drew a four-pitch walk with two outs. Catcher Dylan Jones then doubled to right center to knock in Roberto and Octave.

The Dolphins brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth, but could not keep the game going. Senior pinch-hitter JT Pittman (Ashland, Mass./Ashland/Bridgton Academy), who made his first appearance since April 21, singled to center field to start the inning and was replaced at first by junior pinch-runner David DiNorcia (Naples, Fla./Seacrest Country Day). After a pair of outs and a steal of second by DiNorcia, freshman pinch-hitter Michael Smith (Montebello, N.Y./Suffern) singled through the right side to drive in DiNorcia. Senior center fielder Timothy Corapi (Liverpool, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) was hit by the next pitch and senior right fielder Brian Cox (North Kingstown, R.I./North Kingstown) walked on five pitches to load the bases and force a pitching change. The new pitcher was able to get a swinging strikeout on the seventh pitch against the only batter he faced to end the game.

Junior Sam Walsh (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill) allowed four runs (two earned) and five hits over six innings, while striking out five, in suffering his third straight loss. Ben Walsh finished the contest with two of the team's six hits, while also drawing a walk in his final collegiate game. Hart tallied eight strikeouts over seven innings, while yielding one run and four hits, to improve to 8-1 on the season. Anthony Matarazzo earned his sixth save of the season by striking out the only batter he faced.