Baseball drops first game back in New England, 3-2 to Worcester State

(Northboro, Mass.) Senior Nick Pica (Derry, N.H.) tossed eight solid innings however the snake bitten Rivier University Baseball team fell to Worcester State University, 3-2 this afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex. The Raiders are still searching for their first win as they are now 0-11 while the Lancers improve to 6-3 on the season.

Pica was once again magnificent as he allowed three runs (two earned) over the eight innings and getting 15 ground ball outs. Offensively, sophomore Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) went 2-for-4 including a leadoff triple and senior Taylor Black (West Springfield, Mass.) went 1-for-4 with a RBI in the loss.

Rivier was able to break the scoreless tie in the fourth inning when junior Jacob Rayner (Billerica, Mass.) beat out a would be double-play ball that allowed freshman Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) to scamper home.

Worcester State then proceeded to add single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh before Black's two-out double in the eight chased home Thibault to account for all of the scoring.

Zach Zona was the winning pitcher for the Lancers as he pitched seven strong innings, allowing three hits and striking out four. Matt Irzyk registered the save with two innings of relief.

Rivier will be back at it tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Quincy, Mass. for a Saint Patrick's Day afternoon game against Eastern Nazarene College. Game time is scheduled for 3pm at Adams Field.