The pitching was hot then cold for the Rivier baseball team in a doubleheader split at Saint Joe's of Maine on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

STANDISH, Maine – The Rivier baseball team split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader with Saint Joseph’s (Me.) on Thursday afternoon, taking game one, 3-1, before falling in game two in seven innings by a final of 16-4.

The Raiders moved to 11-14 (6-6 GNAC) while the host Monks now sit at 13-14 (5-7 GNAC).

Rivier returns to action on Saturday for a GNAC matchup against JWU (Providence) at the Scots Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex with first pitch slated for noon.

Rivier 3, Saint Joseph’s (Me.) 1

After the Monks got one run in the bottom of the first, the game would remain 1-0 until Rivier tied the game in the seventh as senior Ben O’Connell pushed in a run with a sacrifice fly.

In the top of the ninth, Rivier scored twice to take a 3-1 lead using RBI singles from sophomore Alex Gallicano and senior Jacob Boudreau. Junior right-hander Ty Baker came in for the save in the bottom half and got the job done, creating a game-ending double play.

Senior lefty Nate Bonacorsi was stellar through 8.0 complete innings of work, allowing one run on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven SJC batters.

Boudreau, sophomore Sebastien Reis, and junior Nathan Innerfield each recorded two hits in the victory.

Saint Joseph’s (Me.) 16, Rivier 4

Saint Joseph’s put up an eight-spot in the bottom of the second to take a convincing lead while ballooned to 16 after the fifth inning.

Rivier scored four runs in the top of the seventh in an effort to prolong the game. Senior Luis Tejada hit a solo homer and sophomore Sebastian Reis launched a two-run shot in the frame, but it would not be enough to evade the run rule.