Baseball Powers Past Wentworth, 8-6

WEYMOUTH, Mass. – The Rivier baseball team scored four unanswered runs over the seventh and eighth innings to come from behind and down Wentworth in a Thursday evening non-conference clash at Libby Field.

The Raiders improved to 5-4 with the victory, while the Leopards fell to 2-9 to start their campaign. The two squads will square up in the rubber match of the season series on Wednesday, April 2 at Holman Stadium.

Rivier struck in the top of the first for a run as senior JD Normand recorded the first of his three RBI, completing a sacrifice bunt which allowed classmate Dylan Aliberti to score.

The hosts responded in the bottom of the second with a throwing error allowing an unearned run to cross the plate, tying the contest at 1-1.

Following a scoreless third inning, Rivier got out to a three-run lead. With runners on the corners and two outs, sophomore Alex Gallicano started the rally with an RBI single through the left side of the infield. Senior Jacob Boudreau doubled to left on the next at-bat to push in another run for the Raiders. Gallicano then scored soon after on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

The Leopards stormed back, scoring five runs on four hits and one Rivier error, in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 6-4 ballgame in their favor.

Neither side struck in the sixth, however, the Raiders would get one back in the seventh as Boudreau crossed the plate for the second time of the outing on a passed ball to cut their deficit to one run.

In the top of the eighth, Boudreau contributed an RBI single to left to tie the game at 6-6 before Normand sent a single to center field, bringing in two more runs to give Rivier back the lead.

Junior righthander Ty Baker came in for classmate Brendan Ferris, who pitched a scoreless frame in the seventh, for a six-out save opportunity. Baker allowed just one baserunner through seven batters faced while striking out two Leopards to seal the victory for Rivier.

Boudreau, Gallicano, and first-year Jayce Martinez each went 2-for-4 at the plate. Normand knocked in three runs while Boudreau produced two runs batted in and scored two runs. Seven different Raiders crossed the dish in the victory.

The three Rivier relief pitchers combined for 4.1 innings of scoreless work, allowing just three hits and one walk, notching three strikeouts.

The Raiders return to action on Saturday, March 15 for a non-conference doubleheader hosted by Rhode Island Col. beginning at noon at Pontarelli Field.