Raiders unable to tame Wildcats in GNAC Baseball action

Raiders unable to tame Wildcats in GNAC Baseball action

(Providence, RI) The Rivier University baseball team traveled to Providence, Rhode Island to face conference opponents Johnson & Wales University. The Wildcats of Johnson & Wales jumped out to early leads as the Raiders dropped both conference games by scores of 12-2 and 13-2. Rivier's overall record fell to 5-23 and their conference record dropped to 1-9. The Wildcats improved their overall record to 20-8 and 8-2 in conference play.

Game One: Johnson & Wales University 12, Rivier University 2

Freshman starter Jonny Chotkowski (Tewksbury, MA) was on the hill for the Raiders in game one but was relieved by classmate Matt Keefe (Bradford, MA) in just the second inning. The Raiders were led offensively by senior tri-captain Aramis Velez (Lowell, MA) who drove in both of his teams runs in the top of the sixth.

In game one, the Wildcats used five run innings in the bottom of the second and fourth to notch the victory. JWU was led by Aldo Morales who struck out three and allowed only four hits in six innings of work. He was supported by a trio of teammates that combined for six RBIs and three runs. James Reyes score three JWU runs and stole three bases in the contest.

Game Two: Johnson & Wales University 13, Rivier University 2

The Wildcats jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and did not look back. They would post another four runs in the second to jump out to a 12-0 lead. Leading the way for JWU was Kory Ferullo and Zach Boyes who each had two hits in the contest and combined for five RBIs and two runs. Jake Marchesseault got the victory for Johnson & Wales as he allowed just four hits in five innings.

Nick Gagnon (Providence, RI) was on the hill for the Raiders and he struck out two batters in three innings of work. The only support he would receive in the game was a two RBI single by Velez in the third inning. Freshman Al Nahigan (Saugus, MA) notched a single and a double for the Raiders. Senior John DiBenedetto (Tampa, FL) and freshmen Marc Medeiros (Arlington, MA) and David Feole (Scituate, RI) all collected hits for the Rivier in the match-up.