Box Score THE BASICS
-Score: Clark University 9, Rivier University 1
-Records: Clark (19-9), Rivier (5-18)
-Location: Worcester, Mass. (Granger Field)
-The Lead: The Clark University combined for 11 hits and nine runs in a non-conference victory over the Raiders of Rivier University on Wednesday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Clark put the first run on the board in the bottom of the second inning. Junior Zach Kelley (Hadley, Mass.) got things started with a single up the middle and stole second base to put himself in scoring position. Sophomore Derek Lefebvre (Groton, Mass.) earned an RBI when Kelley came home for the 1-0 lead.
-The Raiders tied the game in the top of the fourth when senior Tyler Ferdinand (Middleboro, Mass.) homered over the left center fence (1-1).
-The Cougars extended their lead to 5-1 with four runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kyle Bonicki (Waterbury, Conn.) led off the inning with a single when he beat out the throw to first base. Senior Teddy Downing (Cambridge, Mass.) moved him to second with a single to center field and Kelley loaded the bases when he walked. Lefebvre roped a ball through the right side to score Downing and Bonicki (3-1). Sophomore Nick Jordan (Seaford, N.Y.) and freshman Steven Mooney (Buffalo, N.Y.) each picked up an RBI when Kelley and Lefebvre came home for the 5-1 advantage.
-Clark added another run in the bottom of the fifth when Bonicki doubled to right field and Downing singled to center to send him home (6-1).
-The Cougars closed the game with three final runs in the bottom of the eighth. Sophomore Jake Good (North Falmouth, Mass.) walked and first year Chris Radovic (Fairfield, Conn.) put him on third with a single to center. A sacrifice fly from Bonicki scored Good and Downing wrapped up the scoring when he launched a two RBI homerun over left center field for the ultimate 9-1 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
-Downing led the Cougars going 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs and Lefebvre added two RBIs with a 1-for-3 day.
-Sophomore Cam Smith (Gorham, Maine) earned the win on the mound pitcjing two inning and recording a strikeout. He improves to 1-0 this season.
-Senior Conor Walsh (Marstons Mills, Mass.) pitched four innings, struckout five batters and allowed just one earned run.
-Cameron Way (El Cajon, Calif.) falls to 0-4 on the mound for Rivier. He went five innings, struck out three batters and allowed five earned runs.
-The Cougars collected 11 hits in the victory.
UP NEXT
-Clark hosts Coast Guard Academy on Friday, April 20th for one nine-inning game at 3:30 p.m. They trvel to Coast Guard on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at noon.
-Rivier hosts Emerson College on Thursday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m.
