Coach Oliveira recieves Gold Glove, Raiders fall to Fisher

(Nashua, NH) The Fisher College Falcons defeated the Rivier College Raiders this evening, 17-5 on the night where former Falcon, and current Rivier Assistant Coach Mike Oliveira was presented with his Gold Glove.

Before the game began, the 2011 graduate of Fisher College, Oliveira was awarded his Gold Glove for his defensive excellence last season. As a senior at Fisher, Oliveira committed just 2 errors in 166 total chances and was named the best defensive 2nd baseman in the NAIA for 2011.

After allowing Fisher to plate a run in the first, Rivier quickly answered in the home half. Junior Kyle Bowser (Newington, NH) began the frame with a solid base hit to left field. Freshman Michael Scanlon (Plantsville, CT) followed with a walk and senior Kevin Weaver (Hudson, NH) reached on a single to center to load the bases with no one out. Junior John DiBenedetto (Tampa, FL) hit a groundball to the third baseman which scored Bowser and allowed the other two runners to advance. Junior Aramis Velez (Lowell, MA) then roped a sharp single up the middle that allowed both Scanlon and Weaver to score to give Rivier a 3-1 lead.

The Raiders were not done scoring as sophomore Arthur Hoffman (Malden, MA) laid down a perfect suicide squeeze bunt that plated Velez and Rivier had a 4-1 lead after the first inning.

The Falcons kept chipping away as they knocked in a run in the second before the Raider defense allowed Fisher to score 6 runs in the 3rd inning to put the game away early.

Rivier was able to score one more run in the 8th inning as Hoffman lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored freshman Lucas Palma (Bristol, CT)

For Rivier, DiBenedetto had a solid night as he went 2-for-4 with a RBI and threw out 2 runners. Both Bowser and freshman Bryar King (Berlin, NH) added two hit nights while Hoffman recorded 2 RBI. Junior Justin Chenevert (Wilmington, MA) was the tough luck pitcher who was credited with the loss. He tossed 6.1 innings allowing Fisher to score 17 runs, only 7 of which were earned, and striking out 6. Sophomore JJ Montello (Nashua, NH) and Weaver finished the game on the hill for Rivier.

Fisher was led by Ronnie Rosario (Haverhill, MA) who went 4-for-6 on the night with a RBI. Both sophomores Victor Lebron (Union City, NJ) and Eridani Dume (Boston, MA) were perfect as they combined to go 7-for-7 with 3 RBI. Freshman Dominic Zaher (Chelmsford, MA) was the only other Falcon with a multi-hit night as his two hits helped him knock in 2 RBI. Sophomore Raymond Malagon (Roxbury, MA) earned the win as he pitched 5 innings, giving up 4 earned runs and recording 7 strikeouts.

Rivier (1-20 overall, 0-6 GNAC) will look to rebound tomorrow night as they travel to Somerville, MA and take on Lesley University in a non-conference tilt. Fisher (11-18, 1-3 AMC) will return to action tomorrow as well as they travel to Long Island, NY and battle Briarcliffe College.