WALTHAM, Mass. – Freshman left-hander Pat Heber (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City HS) authored a three-hit shutout as Bentley University rebounded from a 7-6 game one loss to defeated 22nd-ranked Franklin Pierce University, 4-0, in game two of a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at DeFelice Field.

Heber, who was recognized as the Northeast Pitcher of the Week and the NCBWA Division II East Region Pitcher of the Week last month, was in charge throughout as he won his third game of the year. He walked two, struck out eight and allowed only two base runners to reach second in the seven-inning masterpiece.

Heber's teammates gave him a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Senior third baseman Steve Rizzuto (Belmont/Belmont HS) had a one-out single through the left side and scored on a double to left center by senior right fielder Tim Zupkus (Middlebury, Conn./Holy Cross HS). Two batters later, a double to center by junior center fielder Joe Cacciatore (Lexington/Lexington HS) plated Zupkus with the Falcons' second run. Cacciatore scored the Falcons' third run on a single to right by graduate DH Liam Sears (Springfield/Pope Francis HS).

An RBI single to right by junior second baseman Tyler Gonzalez (Windham, N.H./Lawrence Academy) in the fifth inning made it 4-0.

In the opener, Franklin Pierce (17-9, 5-1 NE10) scored four in the third inning, two in the fifth and one in the seventh to take a 6-3 lead.

The Falcons rallied with three runs in the bottom of the ninth but stranded the potential tying run on base. Senior first baseman Eddy Beauregard (Paxton/Wachusett Reg. HS) had an RBI double and Rizzuto had a two-run single in the inning before graduate right-hander Brian Hadden (Newburyport) came in from the bullpen to get the final out, a fly ball to center. The save was his fifth of the year.

Bentley's nine hits included three by Cacciatore and two, along with two runs scored, from freshman shortstop Tommy Bolton (Tampa, Fla/Henry B. Plant HS).

The Falcons received four innings of quality relief from grad student Sean Mahan (Woburn/Matignon HS). He allowed only three hits and one run.

The two teams will be back on DeFelice Field tomorrow for a noon doubleheader.