RINDGE, N.H. (May 24, 2025) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference at-large representative Felician University defeated host and No. 5 seed Franklin Pierce University, 9-8, in Game 1 of the 2025 NCAA Division II Baseball East Super Regional Championship on Friday afternoon at Pappas Field.

The second game of the best-of-three series takes place today at 1 p.m. at Pappas Field. Should Franklin Pierce force a deciding contest, it would be played on Sunday at noon. The Super Regional winner advances to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship finals from May 30-June 6 in Cary, N.C.

On Friday, Felician (42-19), playing as the home team, overcame a 7-2 sixth-inning deficit. The Golden Falcons, the East’s No. 3 seed, received a three-run home run from Luis De La Cruz in the bottom of the sixth. After the Ravens (34-21) scored in the seventh, Golden Falcons Anthony Lamar and Andrew DeAngelis delivered RBI singles in the eighth.

With his team trailing, 8-7, to start the ninth, Jaxson Wall led off with a double. Haiden Walters walked, and pinch-hitter Neisser Sanchez dropped a bunt. The throw to first base was errant, allowing both Wall and Walters to score and Felician to come away with the victory.  De La Cruz finished 3 for 4 and Walters also homered. Felician’s Kyle Bednarski and Gavin Enright combined for three innings of hitless relief.

Franklin Pierce is seeking its eighth trip to the NCAA national finals and its first since 2016. Felician is playing in a regional final for the first time. The Golden Falcons are ranked No. 25 and the Ravens No. 30 in the latest national Division II coaches poll.

The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its affiliation with NCAA Division II. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – eight for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 12 members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.