Franchi Pitches Becker Past Daniel Webster

Nashua – Sophomore Kenny Martin’s (Brockton, N.H.) bases-loaded single in the bottom of the seventh inning capped a four-run comeback giving host Daniel Webster College a 6-5 victory over Becker College in the opener of a New England Collegiate Conference doubleheader split Saturday afternoon at Harvey Woods Field.

Martin’s game winner allowed the Eagles (5-8, 2-1 NECC) to take two of three in the NECC series after posted a 14-3 victory Friday.

Becker answered with a 3-1 victory in the nightcap to salvage the split.

In the opener, DWC spotted Becker a 5-2 lead through three and half innings but Zach Cantor (Windham, Maine), who led the Eagles going 3 for 3 at the plate, knocked in two with a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-4 game.

The Eagles would tie it in the bottom of the sixth as Chuck Manning (Riverside, R.I.) singled home pinch runner Nate Marshall (Groveton, N.H.) after Nick Michaud (Windsor Locks, Conn.) had singled to lead off the frame.

Josh Chasse (Haverhill, Mass.) led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and stole second and Darrik Marstaller (Spofford, N.H.) drew a walk. After the two succeeded in a double steal, Bruce Brown (Lowell, Mass.) was intentionally walked setting up Martin’s winner.

Jonathan Olson (Fall River, Mass.) earned the win (1-0) with 3 2/3 innings of relief of starter Noah Shaw (Lebanon, Conn.). Olson held the Hawks scoreless on five hits, striking out one and walking one.

Errick Maddern (West Haven, Conn.) took the loss (0-3), going the distance allowing five earned runs on eight hits, striking out five and walking four.

Austin Phillips (Thomson, Ga.) led the Hawks with three hits including a RBI single in the second. Weston Meehan (Thomson) added two hits with a RBI single in the third.

In the nightcap, Hawk starter Joe Franchi (Millbury, Mass.) tossed a masterful, 120-pitch complete game victory, striking out 11 and walking five, allowing just one unearned run on five hits.

Kyle Beede (Auburn, Mass.) provided the big blow with a two-run single in the top of the fourth to give Franchi all the breathing room he’d need on the afternoon.

Meehan, Tony D’Addio (West Haven, Conn.), and Keith Kandel (Frssno, Cal.) chipped in with two hits each with Kandel adding a RBI single in the seventh.

The Eagles cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh as Brown singled with two out and scored when Michaud reached on an outfield error.

Zack Hurley (Hudson, N.H.) took the loss (1-1) going the distance, allowing nine hits striking out one and walking two.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday hosting Norwich in a regional matchup at 3:30 p.m.

Becker visits Salem State Monday at 3:00 p.m.