Baseball suffers tough loss to Plymouth State

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball team spoiled a brilliant performance by starter Nick Pica (Hampstead, N.H.) as the fell to visiting Plymouth State University, 4-3 on a beautiful night for baseball inside Historic Holman Stadium. Prior to the beginning of the game, both universities honored the late Brian E. Colbert who passed away in December. All monies at the gate tonight went directly to Brian E. Colbert Memorial Foundation.

Playing with a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning, the Raiders infield defense fell apart as three throwing errors led to three unearned runs in which the Panthers used to hold onto a wild 4-3 victory.

Pica was the start of the evening as he dazzled the Plymouth State hitters in his 6.2 innings of work. The junior right-hander gave up zero runs while scattering six hits and striking out a career high 12 batters.

Junior Edward Soucie (South Ryegate, Vt.) suffered the unfortunate loss as he was the pitcher in the fateful ninth.

The Panthers received a solid start from Ryan Perro who pitched six innings allowing three earned runs and six strikeouts. Dallas DeFrancesco picked up his first win of the season after throwing three hitless innings in relief.

Rivier (10-17) will be back at Historic Holman Stadium tomorrow night as they host the University of Maine-Presque Isle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.