Montello helps Raiders earn split with Lasell

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier College Baseball team used a four run sixth inning in game two to salvage an important split with Lasell College to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Rivier sophomore JJ Montello (Nashua, NH) had a career game as he went 2-for-4 with a vital bases clearing double brought home the game winning run in the four run sixth inning. After starting pitcher sophomore Arthur Hoffman (Malden, MA) came out with an injury, Montello took the mound and gave Rivier four important innings. He limited the Laser offensive to just five runs – 2 of which were earned.

Trailing by two runs in the sixth inning, senior Kevin Weaver (Hudson, NH) got the rally started by reaching via the hit by pitch. After moving into scoring position, junior Aramis Velez (Lowell, MA) laced a sharp single to center that plated Weaver and cut the deficit to one. With the bases loaded, two outs and two strikes on him, Montello drilled a double into the left-center gap that just eluded the reach of the centerfielder and allowed three runs to cross to give his team an 11-9 lead. Weaver then came on for his third save and faced just four batters as Rivier stole game two.

Joining Montello with two hits in the game were senior Kevin Romero (Waterbury, CT), who finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and junior John DiBenedetto (Tampa, FL) who was just 2-for-4. Junior Kyle Bowser (Newington, NH) banged out two doubles and knocked in four RBI in his 2-for-5 night for Rivier. Montello was the winning pitcher and improved to 1-0.

Lasell was led by senior Matt Mahoney (Rockland, MA) who went 3-for-4 with a RBI and 2 runs scored. Junior Bobby Stachura (Middletown, CT) added three RBI as he was 2-for-4 in the game. Sophomore Billy Uberti (Newton, MA), who had 2 RBI, took the loss for the Laser as he pitched the sixth inning.

Lasell started the day off right as they took game one behind a strong pitching performance from freshman Matti Doxter (Somersworth, NH). The right-hander pitched six innings scattering eight hits and allowing just two runs. Sophomore Eric Howard (Newton, MA) gave up a hit but only faced three batters in his inning of work as the Laser won 8-2.

Senior Conor Cavanagh (Quincy, MA) paced the 8 run attack as he went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored and two RBI. Stachura had another impressive day at the dish as he turned in a 2-for-3, 2 RBI performance.

The Raiders managed to plate two runs in the sixth as DiBenedetto and Romero recorded RBI hits. DiBenedetto finished the game going a perfect 3-for-3 with that RBI while both Hoffman and freshman Michael Scanlon (Plantsville, CT) were 2-for-3.

Junior Justin Chenevert (Wilmington, MA) took the loss on the hill as he pitched six innings. Montello would pitch a 1-2-3 scoreless 7th to account for all of the pitching.

With the split, Rivier is now 3-9 in the GNAC and trail Lasell by one game for the 6th and final playoff spot. Lasell is sitting a 4-8 and they will travel to Johnson & Wales on Saturday for their next GNAC doubleheader. Their next game is on Friday night when the host the University of Maine at Presque Isle in a non-conference matchup.

The Raiders, now 5-27 overall, will host their own non-conference game tomorrow night inside of Holman Stadium. The 7pm game will feature Eastern Nazarene College as it will be Senior Night at the ballpark. The pivitol final GNAC weekend will have Rivier on the road at Suffolk University (Saturday) and Emerson College (Sunday) as the continue the fight for the playoffs.