2024 Season Preview: Rivier Baseball
NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier baseball team is slated to take the diamond for the first time on Sunday, March 3 in a doubleheader against St. Elizabeth at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, S.C. beginning at 4:00 p.m. as the Raiders begin their quest to return to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) postseason.
Rivier finished in the GNAC First Round with an 11-25 overall record in 2023, registering their most wins and first playoff appearance since the 2016 campaign. Second-year head coach Jimmy Smith returns 22 to his roster while adding 22 newcomers, including six transfers.
"The team and I could not be more excited heading into the start of this season to continue to build on what we started last year," said Smith. "We added a lot to our roster this season. The combination of our returning athletes, transfers, and freshmen will provide us with much-needed depth and will serve us well throughout the year. The leadership and culture within our team will have a massive impact on our success this season."
Three transfers are slated to crack the opening day lineup, with Kyle Hsu (NECC) playing second, JD Normand (NEC) at first, and Luis Colon (NECC) in left field. Both Andrew Cavanaugh (Bentley) and Erik Whitehead (NECC) will see time on the bump while Ben O'Connell (Anna Maria) will catch.
Dylan Aliberti returns for his second season behind the dish after a big year at the plate as a first-year. His .289 batting average was second-best on the squad as he notched 37 hits including eight doubles, a triple, and a homer while knocking in 21 runs and scoring 22 times. Junior captain Jacob Boudreau will assume his position in center field while his fellow captain, senior Frank Gulezian, will return to shortstop on opening day. Senior Patrick Young rounds out the leadership group as a senior captain and will come in out of the pen and play in the outfield.
Sophomore Nolan Mederos will get the ball to start the season and will look to provide meaningful innings as a key piece of the rotation. Nate Bonacorsi returns for his junior year after posting a 3-1 record over seven starts and 10 appearances in 2023. The Goffstown, N.H. native posted 7.88 strikeouts per nine innings while notching a 3.35 earned run average.
Rivier will play eight games in its week-long trip to The Palmetto State, including a meet-up with regional opponent, Bridgewater St., which won its conference and hosted an NCAA Regional a season ago.
Upon returning to New England, the Raiders will hit the road for non-conference clashes with Wentworth, Rhode Island Col., Mass. Maritime, and Nichols before traveling to Lasell and Albertus Magnus in their first two GNAC matchups. The home opener is slated for March 27 as Rivier is set to welcome VTSU Lyndon to Holman Stadium.
In April, Riv will take on Springfield, Eastern Nazarene, Gordon, Fitchburg St., and Plymouth St. in non-conference clashes while playing 12 GNAC contests. On Apr. 21, the reigning conference champions in JWU-Providence are slated to visit Nashua for a 1:00 p.m. first pitch at Holman.
"We are going to be challenged constantly throughout this season," said Smith. "We are looking forward to the challenge and are excited to continue to grow as the season progresses."
