Baseball tops Eastern Nazarene, 12-8; Black sets All-Time Hits Record

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball team pounded out a season high 17 hits as they edged out visiting Eastern Nazarene College, 12-8 in a non-conference matchup at Historic Holman Stadium. The Raiders improve their overall record to 9-20 while the Lions fall to 15-14.

Senior Taylor Black (West Springfield, Mass.) knocked in five RBI on his 3-for-5 night while setting the Rivier Career Hits mark and single-season doubles record. Sophomore Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) also collected three hits as he scored four runs on a 3-for-4 showing with junior Jacob Rayner (Billerica, Mass.) going a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple. Freshman Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) recorded two RBI as he went 2-for-4 for the Raiders. Sophomore Ty Seaton (Providence, R.I.) also had a three hit night.

Senior Jesse Turcotte (Tyngsboro, Mass.) was credited with the win as he pitched the fifth inning and into the sixth. Classmate Nicholas Gagnon (East Providence, R.I.) came on in relief and tossed 3.2 scoreless frames for his first career save.

For the Lions, senior Kurt Picarelli (Montrose, N.Y.) and junior Zach Zanio (Falmouth, Mass.) each went 3-for-5 with a run scored while senior Jeremy Wagner (Oklahoma City, Okla.) added a 2-for-4 night with a RBI. Also contributing with two hits were freshman Zachary Carmody (Babylon, N.Y.) and junior Colton Rice (Mesa, Ariz.). Carmody was the only Lion to knock in multiple RBI as he finished with two.

Sophomore Rob Dukes (Spencer, Mass.) received the loss on the hill as the right-hander tossed 1.2 innings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits.

Tomorrow afternoon the Raiders will travel north to Plymouth for a 4pm non-conference date with Plymouth State University. Eastern Nazarene will also be in action tomorrow afternoon as they host Lesley University. Game time is set for 3:30pm.

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Rivier Game Notes: Senior Taylor Black broke the career hits record previously held by Aramis Velez '13 of 113.... Black also hit his 12th double of the season eclipsing the mark previously held by both Kevin Weaver '12 and J.J. Montello '15.