Baseball Rolls Past Valley Forge, 17-4

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Rivier baseball team produced 17 runs in a 17-4 victory over Valley Forge on Tuesday at Griffith Field at the Ripken Experience.

The Raiders are now off to their best start in program history, boasting a 3-1 record through four contests. The Patriots fell to 2-4 with the loss.

Rivier jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the first, scoring two runs on a passed ball before senior Luis Tejada produced an RBI base knock to left. Valley Forge scored twice in the bottom half to cut its deficit to one.

The Raiders made it a 4-2 lead in the next frame as first-year Brady Balint scored from third on a failed pickoff after being bunted over by classmate Jayce Martinez.

A four-run top of the fourth gave Rivier a 9-3 lead after the Patriots tacked on a run in the inning prior, as Tejada, Balint, and Martinez each recorded RBI base hits.

Rivier exploded with a seven-run seventh inning to take a commanding 16-4 advantage. Three runs came across the plate via a pair of Raiders getting hit by pitches and one walk to make it 12-4. Senior Jacob Boudreau hit a two RBI ground rule double to put Rivier up by ten. After Balint scored on a wild pitch, senior Kyle Hsu registered an RBI single to center to cap off the inning and put the Raiders up by a dozen.

Martinez rounded out the offensive onslaught with an RBI single up the middle, scoring sophomore Colton Colleran.

Tejada led the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Martinez went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Balint had a 2-for-3 outing with two runs batted in. Rivier drew 11 walks in the triumph with the top two batters in the lineup, Boudreau and Hsu, recording two apiece.

Junior right hander Sam Kalivas went seven strong in his first appearance on the bump this season, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out three Patriots and giving up zero walks. Sophomore righties Travis McKeen and Landon Pearson each tossed a scoreless frame to close out the victory.

After a day off on Wednesday, Rivier will continue its Palmetto State slate with a Thursday night matchup against Hilbert. The Raiders and Hawks will face off at 6:30 p.m. at Griffith Field at the Ripken Experience.