MANSFIELD, Conn. — Chad Rafferty fashioned a seven-hit shutout Wednesday night, leading second-seeded Saint Joseph’s College of Standish to a 2-0 baseball victory over No. 7 Bowdoin College of Brunswick in the NCAA Division III Mansfield Regional.
Rafferty (10-0) struck out 13 and walked one as the Monks (38-5) advanced to Thursday’s 7:45 p.m. game against Trinity. The third-seeded Bantams (33-9) advanced with a 13-8 win over No. 6 University of Southern Maine of Gorham.
The Huskies (27-18) meet Bowdoin (25-19) game in a 1:15 p.m. elimination contest.
The Monks broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning as losing pitcher Oliver Van Zant issued two walks and hit a batter. Dan Achorn grounded into a fielder’s choice that resulted in two runs..
Achorn added a single among five hits for the Monks off Van Zant, who struck out six and walked three.
Dan Findlay singled twice to pace Bowdoin.
Earlier Wednesday, Joe Papa belted a three-run home run and an RBI double to spearhead a 14-hit attack that carried Trinity past USM.
Stephen Rogers hit a double and two singles with two RBIs and Bryan Ginsberg cracked a hit a three-run homer for the Bantams. Michael Rueger doubled and singled while Kevin Mortimer belted a two-run shot for the Bantams.
Troy Thibodeau paced USM with a single and three RBIs, Tucker White provided a two-run homer and a triple with three runs scored and Nick Grady singled twice with an RBI.
The Huskies led 6-5 when Trinity scored five runs in the fifth inning to take the lead for good. Papa’s double, Rogers’ run-scoring single and Ginsberg’s homer were the key blows.