Baseball: Kazalski, Raiders take two from Maine-Presque Isle

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Baseball team returned to Harvey Woods Field this morning for a non-conference twin-bill with visiting University of Maine-Presque Isle. The Raiders walked away from the double-header with a pair of victories highlighted by an offensive surge that saw them score 18 runs over the two contests. Rivier is now 5-15 on the season while Maine-Presque Isle falls to 1-15.

Game One: Rivier University 8, Maine-Presque Isle 0 (Final)

Senior Kyle Flanagan (Bradford, Mass.) earned his first win of the season as he pitched a complete game shutout as the Raiders took the opener by an 8-0 final. Flanagan allowed just four hits over his seven innings of work while striking out nine.

Rivier broke a scoreless tie in the home half of the third inning when senior Brandon Thibault (Methuen, Mass.) singled home freshman Corey Cochran (Salem, N.H.) and then sophomore Frederick Kazalski (Dracut, Mass.) launched a bases-clearing, three RBI triple to deep right field to make it 4-0 in favor of the Raiders. Senior Jorge Martinez (Methuen, Mass.) then plated Kazalski with a RBI ground out for the five run inning.

The Raiders then tacked on three more in the sixth inning highlighted by Thibault's inside-the-park home run.

Thibault finished the opener with a 2-for-4, 2 RBI showing at the dish while freshman Anthony Mele (Nashua, N.H.) went 2-for-3. Cochran also finished the contest with a multi-hit outing as he went a perfect 2-for-2.

Senior Ryan Sanderson (Crow Bay, Nova Scotia) took the loss for the Owls as he allowed five runs (all earned) on three hits in three innings. Junior Will Stintson (Norridgewock, Maine), freshman Jacob Moreno (Bourne, Mass.), Sanderson and sophomore Austin Coulston (Bullhead City, Ariz.) each recorded a hit in the loss.

Game Two: Rivier University 10, Maine-Presque Isle 4 (Final)

The offensive train kept moving along right into game two as the Raiders pounded out 11 hits on their way to 10 runs scored in the 10-4 finale of the double-header sweep. Rivier plated five runs in the first inning followed with five runs over the final four frames for their fifth win of the season.

In the first – Thibault walked, stole second and then scored on Cochran's single. Cochran then stole second and scored on Kazalski's single to right. Kazalski then scored on Martinez's double to deep centerfield and the Martinez scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Eric Maxfield (Lowell, Mass.).
That would be just enough for freshman starting pitcher Jake Mainey (Merrimack, N.H.) who earned his second win of the season. The rookie right-hander tossed four innings allowing four runs (all earned) on four hits while striking out seven. Sophomore Cam Way (El Cajon, Calif.) picked up the save as he finished the game with two scoreless frames allowing one hits and striking out three.

Cochran finished the game going 3-for-4 with a RBI as Kazalski, Martinez and senior Brett Iannazzo (Methuen, Mass.) each collected two hits apiece. Sophomore Dillon Brady (Middleboro, Mass.) also knocked a RBI on his 1-for-3 afternoon and freshman Devin Albino (North Smithfield, R.I.) picked up a run batted in with a RBI ground out in the contest.

Maine-Presque Isle saw leadoff hitter junior Brad Patterson (Harker Heights, Texas) go 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI while Moreno knocked home two runs with his double in the fifth. Jacob Hanscom received the loss on the bump as he allowed five runs (four earned) without recording an out in the first inning. Sophomore Colby Spencer (Swan Quarter, N.C.) and Stintson finished the ballgame allowing the final five runs over the five plus innings of work.
….
Next up for Rivier will be a home-and-home affair with Newbury College beginning on Tuesday afternoon. The Nighthwaks will make their final trip to Nashua for a 3pm game at Harvey Woods before the Raiders travel to the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass. for a 3pm game against Newbury on Thursday afternoon.