WALTHAM, Mass. – Graduate right-hander Jimmy Hodgson (Newton/Newton North HS) gave Bentley University six quality innings of pitching but Southern New Hampshire University scored five runs over the final three innings to edge the Falcons, 7-5, in Northeast-10 Conference baseball Friday afternoon at DeFelice Field.

SNHU, ranked 12^th nationally in Division II, used 15 hits to improve to 26-7 overall and 12-2 NE10. The Falcons slipped to 11-20 overall and 6-10 conference.

Bentley was up 2-1 through six innings with all the scoring coming in the second inning. After senior DH Dakota Mulcay (Goffstown, N.H.) homered for the Penmen in the top of the inning, the Falcons answered with two during their turn at the plate.

Junior third baseman Steve Rizzuto (Belmont/Belmont HS) drove in the first run with a single to left and senior catcher Charlie Auditore (Walpole/Walpole HS) broke the tie with an single to center.

Hodgson, before tiring in the seventh, scattered seven hits and just the single run through six. He struck out two during that span.

After an RBI double by sophomore third baseman Christian Mercedes (Providence, R..I) tied the game, sophomore catcher Nick Schwartz (Massapequa, N.Y.) gave the  Penmen the lead with a two-run single.

Bentley cut the deficit from 6-2 to 6-5 with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Junior first baseman Eddy Beauregard (Paxton/Wachusett Reg. HS) drew a bases-loaded walk, graduate center fielder Kyle Halloran (Hopkinton/Hopkinton HS) scored on a wild pitch and junior right fielder Tim Zupkus (Middlebury, Conn./Holy Cross HS) picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice.

Beauregard was the only Falcon to have a hit, a run scored and an RBI. Eight different Bentley players had one hit in the contest.

SNHU graduate pitcher Josh Roberge (Chelmsford) earned the win despite giving up seven hits and five runs in his seven innings. The save went to sophomore Trevor Anibal (Bedford, N.H.), who struggled when he first came in but retired the final four batters he face.

The two teams will conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader Saturday at noon on DeFelice Field. Both games will be seven innings.