Baseball: Ferdinand & the Raiders can't top Dominican (Ill.) in twin-bill

(Fort Myers, Fla.)The Rivier University Baseball team dropped both ends of their double-header this afternoon to Dominican University (Illinois) by scores of 6-3 and 9-0. The Raiders finshed their annual spring break trip with a 1-5 record and are now 1-6 on the season. 

Game One: Dominican University 6, Rivier University 3 (Final)

Senior Charlie Savard (Tyngsboro, Mass.) threw a complete game but was unable to come away with a victory as some shaky defense in the sixth inning costed the Raiders in the opening game against Dominican University, 6-3.

Rivier held a slim 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the sixth before the Stars were able to push five runs across with the help of a pair of Raider miscues.

Freshman Brendan Sullivan (Manchester, N.H.) recorded a pair of base knocks (2-for-3) and both seniors Jacob Rayner (Billerica, Mass.) and Drew Neely (Lakeland, Fla.) plated single runs each to led the way for Rivier. Savard finished with six innings pitched allowing six runs (four earned) on twelve hits and striking out two.

The Stars were paced by Colin Janison who pitched a complete game and went 3-for-4 at the plate with a RBI. Nathaniel Natividad also shined bright as he went 2-for-3 and Franke Sessa plated two runs in the come from behind win.

Game Two: Dominican University 9, Rivier University 0 (Final)

The final game of the annual Spring Break trip was a dud for the Raiders as they were shutout for the first time this season in the 9-0 loss.

Tyler Ferdinand got the start on the hill and threw well for the first couple of frames before the defense once again cost the Raiders an opportunity to get back in the game. The junior right-hander allowed seven runs (five earned) on eight hits in his first start in a Raider uniform. Sophomore Kyle Flanagan (Bradford, Mass.) gave up two runs on seven hits in his two innings of work in relief.

Junior Jonathan De La Cruz (Haverhill, Mass.) accounted for two of the team's three hits in the finale as he finished 2-for-3. Rayner was the other Raider to record a base hit in his 1-for-3 night at the plate.

On the other side of the diamond, Tyler Brown spun a complete game – three hit shutout while striking out eight Rivier batters for his first win of the season. Janison once again powered the Stars offense with another 3-for-4 night with two RBI and Joe Kukla added his own 3-for-4, two RBI performance.

With an expected Nor'Easter (Stella) due to hit New England next week, the Raiders' next few games will be in jeopardy. As of now – the team is scheduled to play at Clark University on Tuesday afternoon and against Worcester State at the New England Baseball Complex on Wednesday. Check back in on game days to see if there are any changes/postponements.