Suffolk Takes Both in GNAC Double Header

Nashua, NH – Suffolk University took both ends of a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) baseball double header today against Rivier College at Nashua's historic Holman Stadium. In game 1 the Rams used their bats to outslug the Raiders in a 12-7 victory, then relied on their pitching in game two to blank Rivier 9-0.

Suffolk had 14 hits in the opening act and capitalized on four Rivier errors to put 12 runs on the board. Rivier took a brief lead in the first inning when they plated three runs to make the score 3-1. Tyler Eaton (Waterville, ME) and Kevin Romero (Waterbury, CT) started the inning with a pair of singles and both came around to score to make it 2-1. Later in the inning, a walk to Kevin Weaver (Hudson, NH) was scored after a single to starting pitcher Nathan Knoetig (Manchester, NH) to make it 3-1.

The lead didn't last long as the Rams got three unearned runs in the top of the second inning after consecutive errors by the Rivier defense. Back to Back singles by Chris Stanley and Nick Travelyn followed by a double from Mark Adessa, all with two outs, led to three runs and Suffolk regaining the lead, 4-3. A leadoff double along with a walk and a single led to three more runs in the third inning and all of a sudden the rams had a comfortable 7-3 lead.

Rivier tried to get back into the game, twice scoring two runs in a inning, but it wasn't enough as the Rams padded their lead with 5 more runs in the final three innings of play.

Andrew Babb picked up the win for the Rams, going 6.1 innings and allowing 6 earned runs on seven hits while striking out 5 batters and walking 6. Brian Szensson came on in a non save situation and pitched the final two thirds of the inning and put the batters down in order to end the game. Knoetig took the loss for Rivier, pitching all seven innings and giving up eight earned runs on 14 hits with 6 strikeouts and just 1 walk.

In game two, Rams starting pitcher Charles Kilgore was almost untouchable. Kilgore pitched a complete game shutout, going all seven innings allowing just 3 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks. The first hit was on a bunt from Kevin Weaver who caught third baseman, Jake Cintolo, playing too deep. Cintolo had just a slim chance to get Weaver by bare handing the play, but couldn't secure the ball to make the throw. Line drive singles in the fourth and seventh innings were the only other hits and only one of those runners advanced past first base.

The Rams earned all nine runs in the nightcap to win 9-0 on 10 hits. Nathan Knezevic (New Boston, NH) started for the Raiders and gave up 8 runs on 8 hits in just three innings of work while walking 7 batters. Zach Goldberg pitched 4 innings of relief and allowed 1 run on two hits.