Raiders drop a pair of GNAC games to Amcats

(Worcester, MA) In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, the Amcats of Anna Maria took two games against the Rivier University Baseball team. The double-header took place at New Balance Field in Worcester, MA. The losses drop the Raiders' overall record to 3-14 and 0-2 in conference action. The wins improve Anna Maria's overall record to 8-11 and an even 2-2 in the GNAC.

Game One: Anna Maria College 9, Rivier University 2

Freshmen Jeremy Ball (Swanzey, NH) and Steven Carlberg (Dover, NH) were bright spots for the Raiders in a 9-2 loss in game one. Ball was 1-for-3 at the plate but he made it count by connecting for a two RBI triple with two outs in the top of the third, which would be the Raiders only runs of the game. Notching the start in game one, Carlberg pitched three innings but allowed only two earned runs. Classmate Eddie Soucie (South Ryegate, VT) came in two pitch two innings for the Raiders and he managed to strike out two Anna Maria batters.

The Amcats surged to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and that would be all the offense they would need. Lucas Davis notched the victory for Anna Maria and struck out seven while allowing just two hits in four innings of work. Mike Guarnieri and Padraig Gilman provided the big bats for the Amcats as the two combined for four RBIs and a run in the victory.

Game Two: Anna Maria College 13, Rivier University 3

In game two the Raiders were led by senior tri-captain Aramis Velez (Lowell, MA) who was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs. Velez' classmate and co-captain Kyle Bowser (Newington, NH) had the Raiders lone extra-base hit. Sophomore Bryar King (Berlin, NH) drove in the other Rivier run on a single to right field in the fourth inning. In a collective staff effort, the Raiders were able to strike out two but allowed 14 hits in the game. The Raiders were able to muster a run in the fourth inning and two more in a late inning rally attempt.

The Amcats were led by starter Tyler Stuart who pitched six innings and retired nine batters by way of the K. Several batters for Anna Maria had multi-hit games but Justin Hyland led the way with four RBIs and he came around to score a couple of runs. After jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning, Anna Maria put the game out of reach with four runs in the fourth to take a commanding 9-1 lead. They would score another four in the bottom of the sixth.

Rivier will attempt to get on the winning track this Friday night as they host the University of Maine-Presque Isle in the 2013 Home Opener. Game time is scheduled for 7:05pm.