Franklin Pierce bounced from NCAA Div. 2 baseball tourney

Sunday night's lightning storm that disrupted play at the NCAA Division 2 baseball tournament at least extended Franklin Pierce's season a few hours. But the Ravens won't be playing on in Sauget, Ill., eliminated yesterday by Shippensburg (Pa.) University, 9-2.

Franklin Pierce (43-15) had its start time pushed back because of delays to Sunday's schedule, and the wait certainly worked against sophomore starter Brian Maloney, who walked five in the first inning, including three with the bases loaded.

Staked to a 4-0 lead, Shippensburg starter Matt Wright gave two runs right back in the top of the second. Matt Anderson walked and Cliff Hicks singled to open the inning, Jake Christman was hit by a pitch with two outs, and Kevin Renaud doubled in a pair. The Ravens threatened again in the third, but stranded two runners.

Wright retired the next 15 Franklin Pierce batters, nine by strikeout. Wright (9-4) went the distance, throwing 166 pitches. He struck out 15 in all, allowing just five hits.

Maloney (8-2) gave up a two-run home run to Tyler Redick in the fourth, and was charged with seven runs over 3 1/3 innings. He allowed six walks and six hits. Alex Szymanski worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, but Shippensburg (39-25) tacked on two more runs against Heath Wasylow in the eighth.

Franklin Pierce, which was ranked 14th in the nation, lost its tournament opener Saturday, 13-12, to Central Missouri in 11 innings.