Velez powers Raiders to GNAC Double-Header split with Albertus Magnus

(Nashua, NH) Rivier University senior first baseman Aramis Velez (Lowell, MA) blasted two Home Runs on the day to lead the Raiders to a split with visiting Albertus Magnus College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference double-header this afternoon at Historic Holman Stadium.

Game One: Albertus Magnus College 15, Rivier University 9 (Final)

Rivier's starting pitcher, freshman Nicholas Pica (Hampstead, NH) suffered a back injury during the fourth inning as the Falcons were able to plate eight runs and win game one, 15-9.

Velez would get the scoring started in the home half of the first as he drilled an offering from Matthew Finkenzeller off the scoreboard in left for a three run shot to give the Raiders an early lead.

Albertus would tie the game in the third when Pellegrino laced a two run double in the left-center gap before crossing home on an error by the Raiders shortstop. The Falcons would take the lead for good when Shane Osborn laced a two run single and Jordan Kubilus cleared the bases with a three RBI triple in the fourth.

Velez finished the game going 3-for-4 with five RBI and three runs scored. Freshman Jeremy Ball (Swanzey, NH) went a perfect 3-for-3 and classmate Marc Medeiros (Arlington, MA) added three hits as well. Senior John DiBenedetto (Tampa, FL) and sophomore Bryar King (Berlin, NH) also collected two hits in the loss.

Jordan Kubilus led the way for Albertus as he was able to go 4-for-5 with three RBI in the opening game. Patrick Dornfried also had a stellar day at the dish as he collected three hits in five trips while Anthony Pellegrino had four RBI.

Reliever Mike Hughes earns the win for Albertus Magnus while Pica suffered his fourth loss of the year.

Game Two: Rivier University 6, Albertus Magnus College 5 (Final)

Freshman Jon Chotkowski (Tewksbury, MA) was able to escape a bases loaded, one out jam in the sixth as the Raiders were able to salvage a split in the night cap.

Chotkowski entered the game in the sixth with one out and runners on second and third. He was able to induce a ground ball that kept the runners at bay but a bad throw allowed the hitter to reach and set up the bases loaded situation. Chotkowski then preceded to strikeout the next two hitters and leave the runners stranded.

Rivier got on the board in the first inning again as both Medeiros and Ball walked to begin the inning – Medeiros was able to reach third on Ball's walk when a throw from the catcher sailed into center field. DiBenedetto then lifted a sacrifice fly to center that plated Medeiros before sophomore Mike Scanlon (Plantsville, CT) singled home Ball to give Rivier starter sophomore Steven Carlberg (Dover, NH) a 2-0 lead.

DiBenedetto and Scanlon would then hit back-to-back doubles to push the lead to 4-0 in the third before Velez belted his second homer of the day, a two-run shot, in the fourth.

Carlberg cruised through the first five innings as the lefty only allowed one hit. He ran into trouble in the sixth but was able to earn his first collegiate win due to Chotkowski's performance. Chotkowski also earned his first collegiate save.

Velez finished the game going 1-for-2 with two RBI and both DiBenedetto and Scanlon were each 2-for-3 with two RBI. Freshman Taylor Black (West Springfield, MA) collected two hits in the win.

Dornfried paced the Falcon offense as he was 2-for-4 with a RBI and Robert Gambardella added two RBI in his 1-for-4 game.

Brian Levchuk suffered his fourth loss of the season as he allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in 2.1 innings.

Both teams will be back in action tomorrow night as the Raiders have a 6:30pm non-conference contest at Newbury College inside of Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, Mass. Albertus will travel home and take on Saint Joseph's College in a rescheduled GNAC double-header.