SPRINGFIELD, MA. – Coming into the postseason as the second seed in the Southwest Division, Pace Baseball secured its second appearance in three seasons at the Northeast-10 Conference Championship on Saturday. Guided by a commanding 9-2 win over Franklin Pierce University in the opening game of the day, the Setters booked a trip to the Conference Championship series against Southern New Hampshire University.

Opening the three-game set for the 2025 NE10 Title, the Blue and Gold took down the Penmen in shutout fashion, winning 3-0 in Springfield, MA. on Saturday afternoon. With back-to-back wins in the playoffs, the Setters boast a 27-20 overall record and now look to complete their impressive postseason run with a NE10 Conference Championship tomorrow.

Game One (Franklin Pierce)

• Pace wasted no time getting on the board, scoring three runs in the top of the first. Luke Rivara doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and came home on a groundout by Mason Baronian. After a single by Anthony Labita and a throwing error, Dominic Rivara singled in a run, and Michael Franco followed with an RBI single to make it 3–0.
• In the third inning, the Setters broke the game open with five more runs. Andrew Heppner was hit by a pitch to lead off, and Rivara followed with a single. Franco dropped a bunt that turned into two runs after a throwing error by the pitcher. Cristian Rodriguez then singled, and Josh Miller added an RBI hit. Luke Rivara kept the rally going with an RBI single of his own, and Baronian added a groundout RBI to push the lead to 8–0.
• Pace tacked on its final run in the fifth. After a leadoff walk and stolen base by Benjamin Tullo, Rivara singled again to bring him home and finish a five-hit day at the plate. He also added two stolen bases.
• On the mound, right-hander Justin Dressler was sharp, tossing 6.0 innings and allowing just two earned runs on eight hits while striking out two. Franklin Pierce managed both of its runs in the sixth, but Dressler limited the damage.
• McCann entered in the seventh and shut the door with three scoreless innings of relief, scattering three hits and striking out two to earn his first save of the season.

Game Two (Southern New Hampshire University)

• The tightly contested postseason match-up remained scoreless through three innings as both starters held firm. Aidan Kempf worked around early pressure, stranding two runners in the third with a strikeout and a timely double play.
• Pace broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Heppner worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a Franco single, Cristian Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice that brought Heppner home, putting the Setters on the board, 1-0.
• In the sixth, third baseman Labita extended the lead with a solo shot to right field—his second home run of the season—making it 2-0.
• The Setters tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. Heppner singled up the middle, moved to third on a pair of wild pitches, and scored when Franco walked and advanced to second on yet another errant pitch from SNHU's bullpen.
• Kempf earned his first win of the season, tossing six shutout innings with six strikeouts and just two hits allowed. Huchro was lights out in relief, earning his first save with three scoreless innings and three punchouts.

Box Score Insights

• Pace's impressive offensive showcase was led by Luke Rivara, who continued his hot hitting, posting six total hits and three RBIS throughout both games.
• Rodriguez blistered the ball on the day with five total hits, one run, and one RBI.
• Overall, the Setters knocked the baseball all around the field, producing 24 hits while holding their opponents to a combined 14.
• Effective pitching and hitting have put the Setters in a prime position to earn their second Northeast-10 Conference Championship tomorrow, as they are one win away from glory.

Up Next (Southern New Hampshire University, Northeast-10 Conference Championship – Three Game Series)
After a long, hard-fought season, the championship is within reach. With only one win needed out of the final two games, the pressure is high, but so is the belief in the Setters' squad. They've battled through adversity, risen to every challenge, and now stand just one step away from claiming the title. Championship action continues tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. as the Setters battle the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University for the NE10 Conference Title.