Baseball Powers Past Rivier for Second Straight Win

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. - Anna Maria picked up its second straight victory, defeating Rivier University 11-1 in seven innings in a non-conference collegiate baseball game on Wednesday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex.

With the win, the AMCATS overall record improves to 8-5 before entering MASCAC competition.

After a scoreless first inning, Anna Maria established a 2-0 lead with five hits in the bottom of the second. Avery Acuna did the damage, singling to left field with the bases loaded to drive in a pair of runs and put the AMCATS on top.

The home team struck again in the bottom of the fifth, as Mason Kolczewski singled, followed by a two-run home run from Josh Batchelder, his first of the season, to give Anna Maria a 4-0 lead and force a pitching change for the Raiders.

After giving up a run in the top of the sixth, the AMCATS broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh. Brady Aylward singled with Kolczewski on second, who came around to score on a throwing error by the second baseman. The home team then loaded the bases, setting up Jaiden Driscoll, who singled to drive in a run. Riley Grindle was then hit by a pitch, followed by a walk to Avery Acuna to drive in two more runs. Later in the inning, Justin Chiulli drove in another run on a sacrifice fly, and Kolczewski ended the game with an RBI single to make the score 11-1, triggering the run rule.

Jesse Buonocore started on the mound for the AMCATS, striking out six batters while allowing just one hit and no earned runs over five innings. The right-hander kept the Raiders hitless until the fifth inning to pick up his second win of the season.

Anna Maria returns to action on Saturday, March 21, for a home doubleheader at Marlborough High School against Gordon, scheduled to begin at noon.

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