Stonehill Tops Franklin Pierce in NE-10 Opener, 8-1


Sophomore Eric Ringstad led four double-winners for Stonehill with wins at No. 1 singles and doubles. (PHOTO BY Bert Lane)

Four double-winners lead Skyhawks in first dual match of the season

EASTON, Mass. (September 14, 2012) – Stonehill College cruised to an 8-1 victory over Franklin Pierce University in Northeast-10 Conference men's tennis action in its first dual match of the season at Charles Watt Tennis Courts this afternoon.

Juniors Nick Hyzak (Guilford, Conn./Guilford) and Brett Armstrong (Manville, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) as well as sophomores Eric Ringstad (Fairbanks, Alaska/Monroe Catholic) and Thomas Alaimo (North Andover, Mass./Central Catholic) led Stonehill to the victory as double winners. Sophomore Keith Bujak (Lyndeborough, N.H./Wilton-Lyndeborough) picked up the lone point for Franklin Pierce with his win at No. 4 singles.

Ringstad posted a 6-0, 6-1 win over Franklin Pierce freshman Jared Taylor (Pelham, N.H./Pelham) at No. 1 singles after combining with Hyzak for an 8-4 victory at No. 1 doubles. Hyzak also picked up a 6-1, 6-1 decision over freshman Drew Bennett (Rindge, N.H./Conant) at No. 3 singles.

Alaimo picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win over Franklin Pierce sophomore Christopher Brewer (Brattleboro, Vt./Brattleboro Union) at No. 2 singles after teaming up with Armstrong for an 8-0 sweep at No. 3 doubles. Armstrong rounded out the Skyhawks double winners without dropping a game, posting a 6-0, 6-0 victory over freshman Brandon Turmelle (Rochester, N.H./Spaulding) at No. 6 singles.

Bujak defeated Stonehill sophomore Jared Drzal (West Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 for the lone point for Franklin Pierce at No. 4 singles. Sophomore Jonathan Sanders (Holbrook, N.Y./St. Anthony's) also picked up a point for Stonehill with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph at No. 5 singles.

Stonehill (1-0, 1-0 NE-10) is right back in action tomorrow when it hosts Saint Anselm College for an NE-10 matchup at noon. Franklin Pierce (0-2, 0-2 NE-10) visits Regis (Mass.) College on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Stonehill 8, Franklin Pierce 1
Singles

1. Eric Ringstad (STO) def. Jared Taylor (FPU) 6-0, 6-1

2. Thomas Alaimo (STO) def. Christopher Brewer (FPU) 6-2, 6-1

3. Nick Hyzak (STO) def. Drew Bennett (FPU) 6-1, 6-1

4. Keith Bujak (FPU) def. Jared Drzal (STO) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8

5. Jonathan Sanders (STO) def. Mikie Connor (FPU) 6-2, 6-1

6. Brett Armstrong (STO) def. Brandon Turmelle (FPU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles

1. Ringstad/Hyzak (STO) def. Brewer/Bujak (FPU) 8-4

2. Drzal/Chris Martin (STO) def. Taylor/Bennett (FPU) 8-1

3. Alaimo/Armstrong (STO) def. Connor/Michael Selling (FPU) 8-0 

* - doubles matches played first