MEN'S BASEBALL

HEAD COACH: Robert Ciarlo
PHONE: (603) 897-8757; rciarlo@rivier.edu

April 29, 2009

Eaton and Hunt Recieve GNAC Honors

Rivier's Tyler Eaton (Waterville, ME) and Chris Hunt (Lisbon, NH) were selected to GNAC All-Conference Teams for their contributions to the men's baseball program during the 2009 season. 

Eaton, a center fielder, was named to the GNAC Third Team All-Conference after hitting .289 in an injury plagued 14 games this season.  Tyler hit 1 home run and was 2-3 in stolen base attempts.

Hunt, selected to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team, started all 21 games for the Raiders.  He got the nod 7 times to be the starting pitcher as well as time at shortstop and outfield.  He struck out 11 batters in 33 innnings pitched and hit .250 during the season, was 1 for 1 in stolen base attempts and comitted only 8 errors on the season for a .884 fielding percentage.

April 26, 2009

Eagles Rally Late To Clip Raiders In Season Finale, 9-8

Nashua, NH - Rob Leary (Litchfield, N.H.) connected for a two-run single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning delivering the Daniel Webster College baseball team a 9-8 come-from-behind victory over cross-town rival Rivier College Sunday afternoon in their final home game of the 2009 season at Harvey Woods Field.  Leary’s winner capped a six-run Eagles (6-24) rally as they scored three in the eighth and three in the ninth after trailing 8-3.  The win completed Rivier’s season at 0-21.

Kory Kiro (Goffstown, N.H.) earned the win (4-3) tossing three innings of shutout and hitless ball in relief, striking out three and walking two.  Will Laux took the loss.

Chris McKenzie (Burlington, Mass.) led the Eagles with a hit and three RBI with two coming on sacrifice plays. Kenny Martin (Brockton, Mass.) went 2 for 3 with one RBI and scored three times.

Ryan O’Connor went 3 for 4 for the Raiders knocking in one. Chris Hunt added a two-run single and Shaun Hanson connected for a two-run double.

Martin’s single in the second scored Charles Manning (Riverside, R.I.) for a 1-0 Eagle lead but Rivier rallied with four in the top of the third on a two-run single from Hunt and a two-run double from Pat Brooks.

An O’Connor RBI single made it 5-1 Raiders in the fourth but the Eagles answered with two in the bottom of the frame as Tyler Calkin (Hollis, N.H.) took home on a double steal and McKenzie score Martin with a sacrifice fly.

The Raiders built the lead to 8-3 with a Laux RBI double in the fifth and Hanson’s two-run double in the sixth.

The Eagles plated three in the bottom of the eighth as Martin scored on a McKenzie sac fly, Tamulonis stole home and Zach Cantor (Windham, Maine) scored from third on a passed ball.

The Eagles loaded the bases in the ninth behind two walks and a hit batsman and McKenzie grounded to short, scoring Tyler Calkin for an 8-7 game. After Cantor drew another walk to reload, Leary rifled the 0-1 delivery for the game winner.
(Story Courtesy of Daniel Webster College Sports Information)

April 24, 2009

Rivier Errors Spell Disaster Against Newbury

Nashua, NH – The game started in Rivier’s favor as the Raiders went up 1-0 after the first inning when Ryan O’Conner (Medford, MA) started the inning by reaching on an error by Newbury shortstop Curran Shane (Bedford, NH).  O’Conner came around to score after an error by catcher Patrick Curry (Hampstead, NH).  The Nighthawks were able to minimize the damage of 2 errors, a walk and a single to just that one run as the escaped the inning after a Will Laux (Mt. Kisco, NY) ground out back to the pitcher.

In the top of the second, the Raiders were looking good until 2 straight errors by O’Conner and Shaun Hansen (Lee, NH) allowed Newbury to continue batting.  Newbury used the momentum to score 3 runs in the inning and never trailed again in the game. 

The third inning is where the Nighthawks did most of their damage as they exploded for 8 runs.  Pitcher Chris Hunt (Lisbon, NH) gave up four hits to start off the inning.  Joseph Herer (Needham, MA) connected on a double to start things off, followed by a single by Curry, a single by Wayne Borden (Methuen, MA) and a double by Nick Dunn (Portland, ME).  Hunt was able to get the first two outs of the inning on ground balls, but then a single by William Maddock (Marshfield, MA), a home run by Alex Chetelat (Farmington, CT), a walk from Michael Dean (Wethersfield, CT) and then a walk from Herer, who started the inning, all led to runs after an RBI double by Borden, and the rout was on.

Newbury added 1 run in the fourth, 5 runs in the fifth and 1 run in the sixth to cap off their scoring.  Rivier added a run in the 5th inning when Hansen reached on an error, stole both second and third base and scored on a ground ball to the shortstop.  They also added one in the 7th when Hunt led off the inning with a walk and Hansen pushed him to third with a double and Corey Burns (Dorchester, MA) drove him home with a sacrifice fly to center field.

April 22, 2009

VanGyzen leads PSU Baseball past Rivier
Panthers win for fifth time in last six games

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior Jim VanGyzen (Glocester, R.I.) hit two doubles and a home run and drove in a career-high six runs Wednesday afternoon to lead Plymouth State University to a 21-2 victory over Rivier College in non-conference baseball action at Panther Park.

VanGyzen slugged his fourth homer of the season with two men aboard to highlight a four-run first inning for PSU.  He added an RBI double in the fifth inning and a two-run double in the sixth.  He was one of four Panthers to record three hits as PSU won for the fifth time in its last six games to improve to 14-18 overall.

Seniors Jay Kleponis (Reading, Mass.) and Marc McGinnis (Hanover, Mass.) and sophomore Bryant Lausberg (Somersworth, N.H.) also collected three hits apiece for the Panthers.  Kleponis reached base in all six plate appearances with a double, two singles and three walks, scoring four runs and knocking in two.  McGinnis reached base five times on three singles, a walk and a hit batsman, and Lausberg scored four runs after registering a double, two singles and a walk.

Freshman Joe Hudson (Greenfield, Mass.) recorded the win for PSU, evening his record at 2-2 with five innings of work.  He allowed two runs on four hits and walk while striking out seven. Classmates Jonathan Bishop (Woburn, Mass.) and Bobby Chatfield (Sharon, Conn.) each pitched an inning of hitless relief.

Junior Chris Hunt (Lisbon, N.H.) was instrumental in the two Rivier runs.  He doubled home a run in the fourth inning and came around to score on a single by junior Corey Burns (Dorchester, Mass.), one of Burns’ two hits in the game.
After playing 10 games on seven consecutive days, PSU is off on Thursday before resuming Little East Conference action Friday home against rival Keene State College (3:30 p.m.).  Rivier plays its final home game of the season Friday at Holman Stadium against Newbury College (3:00 p.m.)

April 18, 2009

NORWICH SWEEPS ASIDE RIVIER

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University baseball team extended its modest win streak to three straight games on Saturday afternoon by sweeping a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader from Rivier. The Cadets won the opener 5-4, before exploding for a 19-6 victory in the nightcap.

Norwich (3-23-1, 2-10 GNAC) jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first inning of the opening game before hanging on for the 5-4 victory. Donovan Brown went 2-for-2 with an RBI to pace the Cadets at the plate. NU managed just three hits in the game, but benefited from five Rivier fielding errors to secure the win.

Austin Shaw (1-3) did not allow an earned run in 3.2 innings to pick up the victory.

The Cadets broke out offensively in the second game, exploding for 19 runs on 12 hits. Norwich was helped by six more Rivier fielding errors.

Norwich led 3-1 after the first inning, and the Cadets added eight more runs in the second to blow the game wide open. Bret Manning went 2-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored, while Dustin Fleming was 2-for-4 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Brown went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Brown’s replacement at third base, Sean Kennedy, went 2-for-2 with three runs batted in as well.

David Wygonski (1-4) allowed six runs on nine hits over 6.0 innings to earn the victory.

Rivier falls to 0-16 (0-12 GNAC) following the sweep.

April 14, 2009

Lasers Shoot Down the Raiders

Waltham, Mass.-  Rich Balgowan (Hamilton, NJ) gave Lasell their first home victory today starting on the diamond, earning a 17-1 victory over the Rivier College Raiders in GNAC baseball action. Balgowan struck out nine en route to the conference win in seven complete innings.  The Lasers also won the nightcap, 9-1, against the Raiders with Mike Mahoney (Rockland, Mass.) on the mound.  The Lasers improve their record to a 7-20 slate and a 4-8 conference mark.  With these two wins, the first year NCAA program has secured a spot in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference playoffs.

Rivier got on board first when Shaun Hanson (Lee, NH) sent an RBI sac fly to right field bringing Chris Hunt (Lisbon, NH) home to take the early lead in the top of the first.

Matt Mahoney (Rockland, Mass.) started things off for the Lasers with a two-base hit down the left field line.  Josh Sullivan (Rockland, Mass.) walked to get on base then advanced on a defensive indifference.  With bases loaded Conor Cavanaugh (Quincy, Mass.) walked to first bringing Mahoney home to even things out at 1-1.

Sullivan came home to for Lasell’s go-ahead run, then a double by Junior Vieja (Randolph, Mass.) sent Jim Amon (Warren, NJ) and Cavanaugh around the bags.  The final score of the inning was sent around by Ryan Walsh (Stoneham, Mass.) to earn the RBI. The inning ended with a 5-1 Laser advantage.

Balgowan allowed no hits in a 1-2-3 second inning, retiring the third batter to close the top of the second.

Four Lasers walked to start the bottom for Lasell, Patrick Girard (Stonington, Conn.) and Amon each made earned run, while Cavanaugh and Sullivan scored unearned on a passed ball and wild pitch respectively. At the end of the second, Lasell had managed a comfortable 9-1 lead.

Lasell had another quick top of the third with two fly outs and Balgowan’s second K of the day. During the Lasers at-bats, Amon shot a line drive up the middle to send Matt Mahoney home for the Lasers tenth run, and Cavanaugh’s single down the right field line warranted him the RBI.

In the fourth, Balgowan got his third, fourth, and fifth strikeouts, followed by the Raiders pitcher Will Laux (Mt. Kisco, NY) forcing a quick inning getting his first strike out in the bottom of the 4th. Girard’s double through the right side was the only hit of the inning.

Matt Blair (Haverhill, Mass.) hit a line drive through the middle to get on base in the fifth.  After a strike out by Balgowan, and a fielding play by Sullivan at second, Rivier’s Ryan O’Connor (Medford, Mass.) found himself in scoring position.  The Lasers, however, got out of the inning with a nice grab by Matt Mahoney to get the runner out at second and end the frame.

Lasell’s Scott Janz (Woodridge, NJ) got a base hit in the bottom of the fifth but no runs were scored.  The Lasers remained up 11-1.

The sixth inning saw Balgowan get on top of the count to give the Lasers their second out in just three pitches.  Angelo Colucci (Stoneham, Mass.) made the play at second for the third.

Lasell’s final runs began with a Sullivan double to right field and a walk by Janz to load the bases for Lasell. Steve Vanderwerken (Rockport, Mass.) stepped up to bat and rocked a two-RBI double to give Lasell a 13 run advantage. Veija drove Janz home with a single and Randy Weiner’s (Randolph, Mass.) base hit propelled Brian McQuinn (Quincy, Mass.) to the Lasers 16th run.  Run number seventeen was earned as Mahoney walked forcing Vieja home.

Balgowan retired the first two batters in the seventh and Vanderwerken putout the last batter at first to finish the game 17-1.  In seven innings, Balgowan struck out nine, allowed just six hits and one run.

In game two, the home team defeated the Raiders 9-1.  O’Connor singled in the gap to get on base for Rivier in the leadoff position.  After stealing second, O’Connor was further advanced on a sac fly by Hunt. A pop up by Phil Woodbury (Nashua, NH) gave Lasell their second out and a final fly out to left field disallowed the Raiders to score in the first.

During the Lasers first opportunity at bat, Matt Mahoney slid into home after stealing second and third, then was brought in on a sacrifice fly by Amon.  The Lasers held the 1-0 lead through the top of the second, during which time the Raiders grounded out twice and Laser pitcher Mike Mahoney struck out the final batter. Lasell also had a quick second inning, with no hits and no runs.

In the third inning, Cameron Williams (Lisbon, NH) scored to even the run count to 1-all on a Laser error. Mike Mahoney struck out two more in the third to end the frame without further damage.

The bottom of the 3rd was the inning that the Lasers went ahead for good.  Matt Mahoney rounded first on a fielder choice followed by a stolen base.  Mahoney advanced once again when Sullivan reached on an error.  Cavanaugh made his way around the bases with a three-base line-drive over the shortstop, then advanced to home on a Rivier error, all the while driving in Mahoney and Sullivan.

Mike Mahoney held onto the comfortable lead by battling back from being behind in the count to send three batters back to the dugout without help in the fourth.   Rivier also did not allow any runners on base with two fast fly outs and a ground out.

Lasell’s defense was on point in the fifth to close the inning with a ground out double.  After Mahoney struck out one, Lasell turned the double play as Chris Hunt (Lisbon, NH) grounded to Weiner at third. Wiener began the play shooting the ball to Sullivan at second, then Sullivan, in turn, fired the ball to Cavanaugh at first to end the inning.

Mahoney started the fifth stanza with a triple to right field and was sent home by Sullivan’s repeat of Cavanaugh’s play in the third, scoring on a triple plus a Raider error.  Weiner earned a two-RBI single finding a gap in the middle before coming around himself as the Lasers went ahead 9-1.

In the final two innings, the Lasers held Rivier scoreless as Nick Guzman (Worcester, Mass.) stepped in to pitch the seventh.  Guzman struck out one batter in the half inning.

April 5, 2009

JWU Baseball Sweeps GNAC Double Header Against Rivier

East Providence, R.I. -- The Johnson & Wales University baseball team swept a Great Northeast Athletic Conference double header Rivier at Pierce Field on Sunday afternoon.  Johnson & Wales had a 14-0 win in the opener and completed the sweep with a 22-5 victory in the nightcap.

In the opener, Johnson & Wales jumped out to the early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back en route to the 14-0 shutout victory.  Senior Frank Nadjavestky (Avenel, N.J.) was 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI for Johnson & Wales while sophomore Bryan Sayers (Chelmsford, Mass.) was 1-for-2 with a run and three RBI, including a two-run home run.  Sophomore Mike Murphy (Pawtucket, R.I,) belted his first collegiate home run with a solo shot in the third while sophomore Nick Alosco (Mahopac, N.Y.) was 2-for-3 with three runs for the Wildcats.  Senior Ryan Morgan (Exeter, R.I.) improved to 3-0 with the win for JWU, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts in six innings of work.

In the nightcap, JWU scored at least one run in every inning and amassed 23 hits in the victory.  The Wildcats were up 11-5 before exploding for 10 runs in the fifth en route to the 22-5 victory.  Senior John Kuschman (Glastonbury, Conn.) was 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI for JWU while fellow senior Justin Maldonado (South Burlington, Vt.) went 3-for-4 with three runs and three RBI, including a two run home run in the fourth inning for the Wildcats.    Freshman Derek Nesbitt (North Providence, R.I.) picked up the win for Johnson & Wales, allowing four earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts in five innings of work.

April 4, 2009

Monks Ransack Raiders in GNAC Doubleheader Burdin Notches Second Cycle in Team History

STANDISH, ME - Saint Joseph's (12-7, 5-1 GNAC) scored a program-record 54 runs in a sweep over Rivier College (0-8, 0-4) on Saturday afternoon at Larry Mahaney Diamond. Kyle Dorr '10 (Berwick, ME) was rewarded with the win in the 25-1 opener and Andrew Pooler '09 (Southwest Harbor, ME), making his first career start, earned the victory in the 29-0 nightcap contest. Seventeen players recorded base hits in the twin bill and 10 Monks notched multiple-hit games. Michael Burdin '10 (Gardiner, ME) was 7-9 with seven runs and eight RBI's on the day and became the second player in program history to hit for the cycle in game two. Tri-captain Steve Gorsun '09 (South Berwick, ME) enjoyed a breakout day as well and recorded six hits, six runs and eight RBI's in the two-game set.
The last cycle by a Monks player was achieved by SJC Hall of Famer Bill Mucci ’87, who accomplished the feat against Maine-Farmington on April 25th, 1987.
In game one, Michael Hebenstreit ’09 (Centerville, MA) recorded his first collegiate hit with a single through the left side with two out in the fifth inning. The senior catcher later went on to rope a double in game two. Teammates Justin Frechette ’12 (Oxford Hills, ME), Andrew Devereaux ’12 (Hope Valley, RI) and Jon Dahms ’12 (Gorham, ME) also notched their first career base knocks in the twin bill.
As a team, St. Joe’s recorded 46 hits in 93 at bats (.495) to go with 52 RBI’s in the two-game set. The Royal Blue also reached base 14 times via base on balls and another 13 times after getting hit by a pitch.
A handful of Saint Joseph’s single-game records were broken in the doubleheader. In game two, the Monks notched 28 RBI’s and 26 hits, both new records, and the 29 runs scored in the nightcap ties the team record (vs. SUNY-New Paltz 3/26/95 and vs. UMPI 3/31/06). In the opener, seven St. Joe’s hitters were hit by a pitch to break the former record of five, which occurred against Thomas College on April 16th of last season. Frechette reached base via hit by pitch three times in the second game to pass nine SJC players who had been plunked twice in a game.
GAME ONE
St. Joe’s scored two runs in the first frame, 15 runs in the second and eight more in the fourth. The Raiders scored their only run of the day when Shaun Hanson ’10 (Lee, NH) doubled off Dorr to plate Chris Hunt ’10 (Lisbon, NH) in the fourth inning.
Travis Adams ’10 (Saco, ME) went 3-3 with a career-high five RBI’s and Burdin was 3-3 with three runs and two RBI’s in the first game. Gorsun was 3-5 with three runs and three RBI’s and fell a long ball short of achieving the cycle himself. Dan Brown ’12 (Portland, ME/Deering) recorded a pair of hits and crossed the plate three times and Ben Grant-Roy ’10 (Biddeford, ME) and Craig Woodbrey ’12 (Gorham, ME) both registered three RBI’s in the triumph.
Dorr went four innings on the hill and allowed two hits and one earned run while fanning four. Reliever Curtis Orlik ’12 (Brimfield, MA) allowed one base hit and struck out six batters to account for all the outs in his two innings of work. Josh Astbury ’12 (Blue Hill, ME) did not yield a hit in his inning on the mound and whiffed all three batters he faced.
GAME TWO
The second inning proved to be troublesome for the Raiders again in the nightcap, as the Monks, after scoring twice in the first frame, sent 12 runners scrambling home in the second to take an early 14-0 lead. St. Joe’s tacked on three in the fourth, eight in the fifth, three in the sixth and one in the seventh to cap the scoring for the day.
In the nightcap, Burdin was 4-6 with four runs and six RBI’s and his home run to lead off the fourth inning was the first of his career. Ian Lee ’11 (Hampden, ME) was 4-4 with two runs and five RBI’s and Gorsun went 3-6 with three runs and five RBI’s for St. Joe’s. Frechette posted three’s across the board, with three hits in three tries to go with a tri-fecta of runs and RBI’s and Grant-Roy, Devereaux and Cameron Sprague ’12 (Portland, ME/Deering) all had a pair of hits in the victory.
Pooler made the most of his first ever starting nod, tossing four innings while fanning six and allowing one hit. Shawn Hall ’10 (West Newfield, ME) and Chris Nanof ’10 (Clinton, MA) were both effective in relief, as the duo combined to allow three hits and strike out four Raiders in three innings of work.
Ryan O’Connor ’10 (Medford, MA) was the lone bright spot for the Raiders, as the shortstop went 4-6 with the bat for the day.

April 1, 2009

RAMS BATS POWER THEM PAST RIVIER COLLEGE

Framingham, MA — Junior centerfielder Dave Leach (Chelmsford, MA) went 3-for-3 at the plate with a grand slam, four runs scored and four RBIs as the Framingham State College baseball team defeated Rivier College 23-6 at Bowditch Field today in non-conference action.  With the win, the Rams move to 4-13 on the season, while the Raiders fall to 0-5.

Rivier College took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as juniors Chris Hunt (Lisbon, NH) and Ryan O’Connor (Medford, MA) led off the game with back to back singles and after a walk Hunt scored on a fielder’s choice to give the Raiders their only lead of the day. 

The Rams came back to take the lead for good in the bottom of the first as Leach led off with a double to left, advanced to third on a wild pitch and after a walk to Steven Tramontozzi (Watertown, MA) scored on a sacrifice fly to right by sophomore shortstop Joe Sheehan (Burlington, MA).  The Rams loaded the bases on a single from junior first baseman Ryan McCarthy and error by the Raiders centerfielder on a fly ball by sophomore J.J. Sorensen (Westerly, RI).  The next batter, sophomore catcher A.J. LeBrecque, walked to score a run and third baseman Matt Urban (Malden, MA) followed with a single that drove in two runs.

The Rams extended their lead to 9-1 with five runs in the bottom of the second on a two RBI single by Sheehan, an RBI single from LaBrecque and a two run homerun from Urban, which was his first collegiate homerun.  The Raiders closed the gap with two runs in the top of the third on an RBI single from Phil Woodbury (Nashua, NH) and an RBI groundout from Cory Burns (Dorchester, MA). 

The Rams would add two more runs in the bottom of the third on a two run homerun to left by Tramontozzi and would add 12 runs in the bottom of the fourth on RBI singles from freshman Chris Cole (Lynn, MA) and George Shriener (Valley Stream, NY), an RBI triple by Sheehan, and four runs on Leach’s grand slam.

Sophomore Bart Venza (East Rockaway, NY) pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing six earned runs on six hits while striking out three and sophomore Jason Hutchinson (Kingston, MA) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Rams.

Tramontozzi finished the game 2-for-2 at the plate with a homerun, a double, four runs scored and three RBIs, while Sheehan finished 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, two runs scored and four RBIs.  Urban also finished 2-for-2 with four RBIs, while Cole, Shriener and LeBrecque each drove in two runs.

March 21, 2009

Rivier Out to an 0-2 Start

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. --Freshman Jared Lowe (Brimfield, Mass.) tossed a complete-game one-hit shutout in his first collegiate start to lift Massachusetts Maritime to an 11-0 nightcap victory and a sweep of a non-league college baseball doubleheader of Rivier Saturday afternoon at Commodore Hendy Field, as junior Joe Albano (Agawam, Mass.) drove in five runs and sophomore Wil Rodriguez (Lowell, Mass.) rapped out four hits in a 14-6 opening game triumph for the hosts.

Lowe allowed just a one-out single in the sixth inning of the second contest and fanned four in going the distance for the host Buccaneers (2-3), who scored single runs in the first two frames before notching three tallies in the third, fourth and fifth innings of play.  Senior Tyler Spofford (Sharon Springs, N.Y.) collected a pair of hits and two RBI in the nightcap win for Massachusetts Maritime, which also received a pair of RBI off the bat of sophomore Nick Levitre (Grafton, Mass.).  Junior Shaun Hanson’s (Lee, Mass.) single through the left side was the lone safety of the second game for the visiting Raiders (0-2), who were making their season debut, as junior Chris Hunt (Lisbon, N.H.) suffered the second game setback for Rivier.

The Buccaneers jumped out to a 3-0 cushion in the opener on an error and a two-run double by Albano, but the Raiders took a 5-3 advantage in the second, highlighted by a three-run double off the bat of junior Ryan O’Connor (Medford, Mass.), but Massachusetts Maritime took the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by freshman Nick Montalto (South Yarmouth, Mass.), a run-scoring double off the bat of sophomore Ross Hickey (Centerville, Mass.) and a pair of wild pitches, and the hosts iced their triumph with four tallies in the fifth, highlighted by Albano’s three-run double, as he finished with a pair of hits in the first game.

Hickey, sophomore Brad Musk (Dania, Fla.) and freshman Jonathan Smith (Weymouth, Mass.) joined Albano with two hits each in the opening game win for the Buccaneers, who rapped out 16 hits in support of sophomore Corey Murphy (East Wareham, Mass.), who allowed five hits and struck out a career-high 12 over five innings of work to pick up the win on the mound.  Sophomore Tyler Eaton (Waterville, Maine) drove in two runs in the first contest for Rivier, as Hanson chipped in with an RBI and struck out three in 4 2/3 innings of work on the mound for the Raiders.

Feb 26, 2009

Rivier Selected Fifth in Preseason Coaches' Poll

Defending GNAC tournament champion St. Joe’s has been chosen as the baseball preseason favorite of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Monks, who despite starting conference play 0-4 battled back to earn their first GNAC conference title after just one year of competition in the GNAC, received four first place votes and a total of 51 points in the GNAC baseball preseason poll. The Monks return a duo of first-team all-conference performers, senior outfielder Wade Oliver and junior infielder Ben Grant-Roy. Additionally, the Monks return second-team all-conference and the 2008 GNAC Rookie of the Year sophomore catcher Ian Lee.

Suffolk University, the regular season champions from last season with a 14-0 conference record, was selected second in the preseason poll with 45 points and three first place votes. Head Coach Cary McConnnell, the 2008 GNAC Baseball Coach of the Year, returns a trio of first-team all-conference selections, junior catcher Bobby Barrett, sophomore infielder Jose Alejandro, and senior outfielder Keith Carter.

Completing the top six in the preseason poll in projected order of finish in the regular season standings are Johnson & Wales (38), Albertus Magnus (29), Rivier (26), and Emerson (24).

Six of the eight Great Northeast Athletic Conference teams will advance to the 2009 GNAC Championship Tournament. The 2009 GNAC Conference semifinals and championships will take place on the campus of St. Joe’s (Maine) April 25-26. The 2009 GNAC Conference Championship Champion will earn the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

1. Saint Joseph's (Maine) (51)

2. Suffolk (45)

3. Johnson & Wales (38)

4. Albertus Magnus (29)

5. Rivier (26) 

6. Emerson (24)