Baseball: Martinez, Rivier fall to Hiram College, 10-5

(Fort Myers, Fla.) A pair of late three run innings by Hiram College was the difference maker as the Rivier University Baseball team fell for the second time in as many days; this time by a 10-5 final at Roberto Clemente Field insdie the Terry Park Sports Complex. The Raiders, 1-4 overall, battled back from a two run deficit in the fifth inning to tie things up however the Terriers plated three runs in both the sixth and eighth inning on their way to their fourth victory of the season (4-2 overall).

Senior Drew Neely (Lakeland, Fla.) got the start on the hill and pitched well until faltering due to the heat in the sixth inning. The veteran right-hander tossed 5.2 innings allowing seven runs (four earned) on ten hits while issuing two walks. A quartet of Raider relievers finished off the ballgame allowing just three runs.

Offensively, Rivier was paced by junior Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) who went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Classmate Jonathan De La Cruz (Haverhill, Mass.) knocked in a RBI on his 1-for-5 afternoon and sophomore Jorge Martinez (Methuen, Mass.) went 1-for-2 with a RBI and run scored for the Raiders.

Hiram saw Alex Perrella go a perfect 4-for-4 on the afternoon with three RBI including a two-run double in the eighth inning. Bryan Engdahl added a 3-for-5 day at the dish and Tyler Duben earned the win on the mound after throwing the fifth & sixth innings giving up three runs on three hits.

Rivier will finish out their time in the sunshine state tomorrow as they entertain Dominican University (Illinois) for a 12pm twin-bill at the Lee County Player Development Complex.