Baseball splits with Lasell; earn return trip to GNAC Post-Season

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball secured their second straight trip to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Post-Season with a double-header split against Lasell College this afternoon at Historic Holman Stadium. The Raiders, 11-27 overall, finish the GNAC season at 5-9 and will be the 6th seed on Tuesday night. Lasell (19-15), meanwhile, finishes at 8-6 and are the 3rd seed for the Tournament. Both teams will match-up again on Tuesday night at Brandeis University for the playoff game.

Game One: Rivier University 5, Lasell College 3 (Final)

Senior Edward Soucie (South Ryegate, Vt.) pitched 4.2 innings giving up three hits and one run as the Raiders took the opener 5-3. The win was an important one for Rivier as it locked up a berth in the conference tournament.

Rivier plated three runs in the first inning and never looked back. Senior Taylor Black (West Springfield, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Classmate Jeremy Ball (Swanzey, N.H.) also went 2-for-4 and junior Jacob Rayner (Billerica, Mass.) added a RBI on his 1-for-2 day.

Senior Nick Gagnon (Providence, R.I.) recorded his second save after getting the final two outs of the ball game.

Lasell was paced by Evan Michalek, who was 3-for-3 and Tyler Flaherty added a 2-for-4 afternoon as the Lasers registered eight hits in the game. Jake Malone received the loss as he pitched 3.2 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits. Matt Haskell finished up the contest with 2.1 innings of two hit ball.

In-between the two games, the Raiders honored their 12 seniors who have turned the program around with a 20 minute ceremony.

Game Two: Lasell College 2, Rivier University 1 (Final)

With both teams locked into position for the upcoming tournament, the Lasers were able to edge the Raiders, 2-1 on an RBI single by Skylar Beckerman in the sixth inning.

Rivier used seven different pitchers in the contest as freshman Kyle Flanagan (Bradford, Mass.) suffered the loss as he allowed the game winning run.

Sophomore Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) went 1-for-3 and freshman Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) smacked a RBI double to account for the only Raider run of the contest.

Beckerman finished the game going 2-for-4 and Chris Maringo added a 2-for-3 performance to lead the Lasers. Justin Webb was credited with the win as he pitched one inning of relief and Hector Coscione had a 1-2-3 seventh for the save.

Both teams have non-conference games on the schedule before they meet on Tuesday night. Rivier is slated to travel to Fitchburg State on Monday afternoon while Lasell is set to host MCLA tomorrow afternoon at 1pm.