Baseball: Flanagan throws CG shutout as Raiders split with UMPI

(Lynn, Mass.) The Rivier University Baseball team improved to 5-11 overall this afternoon as they earned a non-conference double-header split with the University of Maine-Presque Isle at Fraser Field in Lynn, Massachusetts. The Owls improve their record to 2-12 overall with the split.

Game One: Rivier University 2, University of Maine-Presque Isle 0 (Final)

Junior Kyle Flanagan (Bradford, Mass.) tossed a complete game shutout as the Raiders took the opening game by a 2-0 final. It was the Raiders' third consecutive shutout, a program first and it was also Flanagan's first win of the season. The veteran right-hander allowed just three hits over the seven innings while issuing one walk and striking out seven.

The game was scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth inning. UMPI starter Saul Nunez kept the Raider batters off balance all game but started to tire in the fateful sixth. With runners on second and third and one out, sophomore Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) singled through the left side that allowed both freshman Dillon Brady (Middleboro, Mass.) and Frederick Kazalski (Dracut, Mass.) to score and give the Raiders the lead. Thibault went 2-for-3 and Brady was 1-for-3 to account for all of the Rivier offense in the opener.

Matt Cauchon, Christian Mumley and Frank Nunez all recorded base knocks off of Flanagan for UMPI. Saul Nunez finished with a complete game (6 innings) allowing two runs, one earned on three hits and striking out five.

Game Two: University of Maine-Presque Isle 12, Rivier University 3 (Final)

An eight-run fourth inning was the back breaker as the Raiders fell in the nightcap, 12-3 and finish the week going 3-1.

Senior Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) made his 2018 debut on the bump throwing three innings allowing three runs on five hits. The right-hander also struck out three and did not walk a hitter. Freshman Daniel White (Augusta, Maine) was charged with all eight runs in the fourth as he gave up three hits and walked three. Classmate Enrique Serrano (Chelsea, Mass.) tossed a scoreless frame and sophomore Cameron Way (El Cajon, Calif.) cleaned up the final 2.2 innings allowing just one run on one hit and retiring three by way of the k.

Ferdinand knocked home two RBI on his only hit of the game, a double in the sixth, to finish 1-for-3 with 2 RBI. Sophomore Brendan Sullivan (Manchester, N.H.) lifted a sacrifice fly in the third to bring home the other Rivier run.

The Owls had multiple student-athletes record multi-hit games led by Bradley Patterson's 2-for-3, 2 RBI night. Colby Spencer worked quick and was effective against the Raiders as he gave up three runs on six hits and striking out seven. Austin Coulston finished the ballgame pitching 1.2 innings of no-hit ball.

Rivier will enjoy the Easter Weekend off before they get set to face Fitchburg State University on Tuesday, April 3rd. Game time is set for 3:30pm in Fitchburg, Mass. UMPI will travel to New York for a conference twin-bill with Baruch College.