Posted: Mar 21, 2026
Baseball Splits Home Twin Bill with Rivier in GNAC Opener on Saturday
Game 1
Game 1
Rivier
(3-8, 0-1)
3
Saint Joseph (Conn.)
(8-4, 1-0)
4
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rivier | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | X | 4 | 6 | 2 |
Game 2
Game 2
Rivier
(4-8, 1-1)
2
Saint Joseph (Conn.)
(8-5, 1-1)
1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rivier | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) baseball team split its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opening doubleheader with Rivier University on Saturday afternoon at the USJ Baseball Field. The Blue Jays claimed game one, 4–3, before the Raiders responded with a 2–1 victory in game two. With the split, USJ moved to 8–5 overall and 1–1 in GNAC play, while Rivier stands at 4–8 (1–1 GNAC).
GAME ONE | USJ 4, RIVIER 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
-
USJ struck first in the bottom of the opening inning as freshman Sam Balducci (South Windsor, Conn.) lined an RBI single to right field, scoring senior infielder JJ Fox (Killingworth, Conn.) to give the Blue Jays a 1–0 lead.
-
The Blue Jays added to their advantage in the third inning. Sophomore infielder Jack Kane reached on a fielder's choice, and a defensive miscue allowed junior infielder Tyler Carlstrom to score. Kane later came around on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 3–0.
-
Rivier got on the board in the top of the fifth with an RBI groundout from Brady Balint that brought home Dylan Aliberti, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
-
USJ answered in the bottom half of the inning when Balducci grounded out to second base, allowing Carlstrom to score what proved to be the decisive run and make it 4–1.
-
The Raiders made things interesting in the sixth, scoring two runs to pull within one, but the Blue Jays held on to secure their first GNAC victory of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Senior pitcher Brandon Cahill (Meriden, Conn.) continued his dominant start to the season, tossing a complete‑game seven innings while allowing five hits and three runs (all unearned) and striking out 10.
- Cahill also reached a major milestonein the win, recording his 100th career strikeout with his second punchout of the afternoon.
- Balducci paced the Blue Jays' offense with two RBI.
GAME TWO | RIVIER 2, USJ 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
-
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when senior outfielder Dom Scalia (Northford, Conn.) laced an RBI single to left field, scoring Kane to give USJ a 1–0 lead.
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Rivier responded in the top of the seventh, tying the game on an RBI single from Austin Suchecki.
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The Raiders took the lead in the eighth when Nathan Innerfield lined an RBI single to right field. Rivier held USJ off the scoreboard the rest of the way to complete the split.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Despite taking the loss, junior pitcher Ethan Slowik (Greenville, N.Y.) turned in a strong outing, throwing seven innings while allowing six hits and two runs and striking out six.
- Scalia led the Blue Jays offensively with two hits and the team's lone RBI.
UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return to action on Sunday, March 22, hosting crosstown rival Trinity College for a non‑conference doubleheader. Game one is set for 10:30 a.m., with game two scheduled for approximately 1:00 p.m. at the USJ Baseball Field.
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