STANDISH, ME - Saint Joseph's College senior pitcher Chad Rafferty (Keene, N.H.) broke the Monks' career pitching victories record, a mark that stood for 27 years, when he earned the winning decision in a 7-1 triumph over Suffolk University at Larry Mahaney Diamond on Sunday afternoon.
Now 24-3 during his four years, Rafferty broke the record held by former great Richard Flaherty '86, who posted a 23-8 career record while pitching for the Monks.
Rafferty registered the historic victory after allowing three runs off five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in a complete-game 12-3 victory over the Rams on Sunday. So far this season, the senior owns a 4.42 ERA with a 3-2 record and 34 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.
The senior standout claimed 2013 D3baseball.com First Team Preseason All-America honors after earning D3Baseball.com All-America, ABCA/Rawlings All-America, D3Baseball.com New England Pitcher of the Year, NCBWA New England Pitcher of the Year, NEIBA First Team All-New England, GNAC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-GNAC accolades following his junior season. He currently ranks fourth in career strikeouts (216), fifth in innings pitched (211.1) and WHIP (1.19), sixth in hits allowed per nine innings (8.0), eighth in ERA (3.11), ninth in strikeouts per nine innings (9.2) and 10th in walks per nine (2.72).
Rafferty collected his first collegiate victory on March 27th, 2010 when he allowed a run off six hits and a pair of walks with 10 K's over six innings in a 3-1 win over Rivier University. Prior to a hard-fought loss at the hands of Endicott College on March 27th, Rafferty had not suffered a setback since dropping a 4-2 decision versus Curry College on March 13th, 2011.