Baseball: Shirley's grand-slam powers Raiders to DH sweep

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

FORT MYERS, FLA. – The Rivier University Baseball team rebounded this afternoon as they scored a combined 29 runs on 27 hits to earn a double-header sweep of Finlandia University inside the Lee County Player Development Complex. The Raiders capture their first victory of the year in game one by a 12-8 final before plating 17 runs in the 17-3 nightcap win. Rivier is now 2-3 on the season while Finlandia falls to 0-2.

Game One: Rivier University 12, Finlandia University 8 (Final)

Freshman Tim Scott (Lowell, Mass.) earned his first collegiate victory as the Raider bats came alive to take the opener, 12-8.

Scott scattered five hits over his four innings of work while allowing four runs (one earned) and striking out four. Sophomore Brandon Kelly (Lincoln, R.I.) and freshman Patrick Quinn (Seabrook, N.H.) cleaned up the final three frames surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits and retiring two by way of the k.

The 11-hit outburst was led by sophomore Jalen Shirley (Fishers, Ind.) who belted his first home run of the season, a grand-slam in the fourth inning, to finish 2-for-5 with four RBI. Sophomore Corey Cochran (Salem, N.H.) went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and junior Dillon Brady (Middleborough, Mass.) added a 2-for-3 night along with classmate Frederick Kazalski (Dracut, Mass.) who also chipped in with a two-hit first game.

The Lions saw Christian Frederick collect three hits and two RBI as he finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Nik Geiser had his own multi-hit game going 2-for-3 with a RBI. Left-hander Will Thompson suffered the loss as he gave up 12 runs (six earned) on nine hits over three inning of work.

Game Two: Rivier University 17, Finlandia University 3 (Final)

A seven run second inning was more than enough for Cochran as the Raiders cruised to a game two victory, 17-3 to complete the double-header sweep. It was Rivier's first double-dip sweep since March 29, 2018 when they beat Pine Manor College twice.

Cochran was magnificent on the mound as the right-hander evened his overall record (1-1) with 5.1 innings of work. He allowed three runs (one earned) on nine hits while striking out three. Sophomore Dax Billingsley (Lynn, Mass.) and Conor Dines (Wayland, Mass.) finished the contest throwing a combined two hitless innings.

Senior Tyler Jackson (Hyde Park, Mass.) inginted the offense, opening the scoring with a two-run triple in the first and finishing game two going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Cochran was just as remarkable at the plate as he went 4-for-4 with four runs scored and Kazalski chipped in with another two-hit game. Sophomore Jake Mainey (Merrimack, N.H.) made his first career start at shortstop and finished 2-for-4 with a RBI. Junior Christian Greener (Hermon, Maine) came off the bench and smacked a two-run single to right.

Finlandia got a multi-hit game from Ben Loya, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored and Austin Green also collected two hits in the loss. Shawn Knutson took the loss on the mound as he allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 12 hits and striking out one. Gabe Voisin tossed the final three frames for the Lions.
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Rivier will enjoy an off day tomorrow after playing four games in three days to begin the trip. When the Raiders return to action, they battle against Baruch College in a double-header on Wednesday afternoon inside the Player Development Complex. Game one starts at 12pm.