Baseball shutout by Clark, 9-0

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball team dropped a non-conference contest this evening to visiting Clark University, 9-0 under the lights at Historic Holman Stadium. The Raiders, looking ahead to conference play on Saturday, are now 10-26 on the season while the Cougars wrap up their record setting campaign at 18-21.

Clark's Mike Tice (Chelmsford, Mass.) was the story of this one as the freshman spun six innings of shutout baseball to earn his seventh win of the season – a new Clark single-season record. The right-hander allowed four hits and struck out four before giving way to Cal Slepkow. Slepkow earned his first save of the year with four innings of one hit ball while retiring eight by way of the K.

The Raiders received five base hits from five different student-athletes on the evening. Seniors Jeremy Ball (Swanzey, N.H.) and Frederick O'Brien (South Boston, Mass.) went 1-for-3 while classmate Taylor Black (West Springfield, Mass.) added a 1-for-4 night. Sophomore Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) and junior Drew Neely (Lakeland, Fla.) also recorded base knocks in the loss.

Junior Kevin Francis (Cromwell, Conn.) took the loss on the mound as he returned to action for the first time since suffering a wrist injury on April 10th. The right-hander threw four innings allowing four runs, all unearned, on five hits and striking out six.

The Cougars were paced offensively by sophomore Kyle Bonicki (Waterbury, Conn.) who was a perfect 4-for-4 with three stolen bases and classmate Mikey Thompson (Northampton, Mass.) added a pair of RBIs on his 2-for-3 evening. Freshman Zach Kelly (Hadley, Mass.) also registered a multi-hit night as he went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Rivier will now be focused on Great Northeast Athletic Conference play as they welcome Lasell College to the friendly confines of Historic Holman Stadium for an important twin-bill on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders are looking to secure their second straight appearance in the conference tournament while the Lasers are trying to lock up the overall #3 seed. Game time is set for 1:05pm with Senior Day festivities occurring in between the double-header.