Baseball: Thibault, Raiders fall twice to visiting Suffolk

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball team dropped both ends of their Great Northeast Athletic Conference double-header to visiting Suffolk University this afternoon by finals of 8-0 and 13-1. The pair of losses sends the Raiders to an overall record of 5-19 with a conference mark of 0-6. Suffolk improves to 15-9-1 on the season and a perfect 8-0 against GNAC foes.

Game One: Suffolk University 8, Rivier University 0 (Final)

The Rams plated three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back on their way to the 8-0 game one victory. Suffolk also posted multiple run innings in the fourth (three runs) and sixth (two runs) to secure their seventh consecutive conference win of the year.

Rivier senior Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) went 2-for-3 as he accounted for two of the Raiders three hits in the opener – freshman Anthony Mele (Nashua, N.H.) recorded the other hit to finish 1-for-3.

Senior Kyle Flanagan (Bradford, Mass.) fell to 1-4 on the season as he allowed eight runs (six earned) on eight hits while striking out three over his 5.2 innings of work. Sophomore Daniel White (Augusta, Maine) finshed off the ballgame with 1.1 innings of two-hit ball.

The story of the game was Suffolk's starting pitcher, freshman Steven Rossi (Corning, N.Y.). The right-hander tossed a complete game shutout allowing just those three runs while striking out five.

Offensively, the Rams received a multi-hit effort from sophomore Steven Shamnoski (Pittstown, Pa.) (2-for-3, two runs scored, RBI) and senior Trevor Lee (Flanders, N.J.) who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Also collecting two RBI in the opener were sophomore Blasé Cormier (Wayland, Mass.) and junior Tim Brigham (Cape Elizabeth, Maine).

Game Two: Suffolk University 13, Rivier University 1 (Final)

The offense continued to click in the finale as the Rams pounded out tweleve hits to score thirteen runs to finish the twinbill sweep.

It took a little while for Suffolk to solve Rivier starting pitcher, freshman Jake Mainey (Merrimack, N.H.) as the rookie held the Rams to just one run over the first three innings of the game. However Suffolk plated four runs in the fourth, two and fifth and tacked one six runs in the seventh for the 13-1 final.

Mainey allowed seven runs (all earned) on seven hits while striking out one over his 4.2 innings of work. A trio of relievers then combined to surrender five hits while the Rams were able to get to sophomore Cameron Way (El Cajon, Calif.) in the seventh for six runs (three earned) on three hits. Freshman Brandon Kelly (Lincoln, R.I.) and sophomore Daniel White (Augusta, Maine) were the other two Raider arms and allowed just two hits.

Suffolk starter senior Charles Batcheldor (Shrewsbury, Mass.) followed suit from teammate Rossi as he aslo tossed a complete game for the win. Batchelor allowed one run (earned) on four hits and struck out eleven.

Thibault once again paced the Rivier offense as he went 1-for-2 with a run scored. Senior Brett Iannazzo (Methuen, Mass.) plated Thibault with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning. Freshman Corey Cochran (Salem, N.H.), sophomore Fred Kazalski (Dracut, Mass.) and freshman Devin Albino (North Smithfield, R.I.) each recorded one hit for the Raiders in the loss.

Sophomore Ben Isaak (Durham, N.H.) went 2-for-3 with five RBI and classmate Will Hopkins (Old Rochester, Mass.) added three RBI on his 1-for-4 day to power the Suffolk offensive attack in the nightcap. Brigham also added two RBI on his 1-for-2 outing and senior Connor Troio (Shrewsbury, Mass.) finished the night going 2-for-2 with a RBI.
….
Both teams will be back in GNAC action tomorrow afternoon. Rivier will host Colby-Sawyer College in a 1pm double-header at Harvey Woods Field while Suffolk will Anna Maria College beginning at 1pm in East Boston, Mass.