Softball sweeps evening twin-bill over Fisher College

(Nashua, N.H.) Returning to the diamond for the first time since March 9th, the Rivier University Softball team earned a pair of wins over visiting Fisher College of Boston this evening at Raider Diamond. Rivier was victorious in the first game by an 8-7 margin and took home the sweep by holding on for the 10-9 dramatic win.

The Raiders are now 2-4 on the season while Fisher falls to 0-14.

Game One: Rivier University 8, Fisher College 7 (Final)

Junior Nicole Scotti's (Concord, N.H.) RBI double and a RBI single from senior Sam Verney (Goffstown, N.H.) capped the three run sixth inning as the Raiders came from behind to earn the 8-7 game one victory.

The Falcons took the early lead as they plated a pair of runs in the opening two frames and held a 7-5 lead after 5.5 innings of play. However, Rivier slowly chipped away by scoring at least once in the first four innings before the decisive three run sixth.

Junior Shaylyn Freitas (Pelham, N.H.) was the catalyst in the opening game as she went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Verney finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Senior Kathryn Mostone (Pelham, N.H.) and sophomore Tori Dugan (Norwalk, Conn.) also added two hit nights in the team's first win of 2016.

Freshman Kerri Hegarty (Tewksbury, Mass.) earned the win inside the circle as she tossed three innings of relief for senior starter Taylor Miller (Haverhill, Mass.), who received the no-decision. Hegarty allowed two runs on three hits to keep the Raider within striking distance and earn her first collegiate win.

Fisher's offense was paced by junior Morgan Selmi (Rohnert Park, Calif.), who went 2-for-3 with four runs scored. Junior Kristina Brown (Dixon, Calif.) knocked in a run on her 2-for-4 showing and senior Christine Briggs (Rumford, Maine) added a two-hit performance herself. Sophomore Mikayla Zimmerman (Corona, Calif.) suffered the complete game loss for the Falcons as she gave up eight runs (four earned) on twelve hits while striking out four.

Game Two: Rivier University 10, Fisher College 9 (Final)

The final game of the long night came down to a well-executed play at the plate as the Raiders were able to hold on for the 10-9 win and finish the sweep of the Falcons.

With the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at second, Fisher's Selmi hit a slow grounder to the second baseman Verney. Upon the throw to first, freshman Luz Evangelista (Lawrence, Mass.) made the break for home but was thrown out as junior Jessica Cote (Nashua, N.H.) riffled a throw to freshman catcher Evelyn Susko (Hudson, N.H.), who then applied the tag to end the long cold night at Raider Diamond in dramatic fashion.

Rivier trailed early as Fisher plated four runs in the opening frame. However, the Raiders continued to battle from behind and chipped away with three runs of their own. After allowing another four run inning in the fourth, Rivier took the lead with a three run fifth before adding a much needed insurance run in the sixth to hold on.

Dugan, Freitas and Cote all collected two hits while freshman Makayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) went 1-for-2 with two RBI to highlight the Rivier offensive output in game two. Senior Jessica Shanahan (Merrimack, N.H.) received the win as she spun six innings of work, allowing eight runs – all unearned – on eight hits and striking out four. Miller earned the save as she was able to get the final two outs in the seventh.

Zimmerman finished the second game going 2-for-4 at the dish and took the loss (0-13) as she pitched six innings of relief for freshman starter Maria Rivera (Middletown, N.Y.), who allowed three runs after facing just three hitters. Seniors Ashley De Sousa (Hazlet, N.J.) and Jade Bracero (Hoboken, N.J.) each went 1-for-4 on the evening for Fisher.

Rivier will be back at Raider Diamond tomorrow evening as they host Gordon College in a 5pm double-header. Fisher, meanwhile, will have some time off as they prepare to host Husson University for a four game set this weekend in Lynn, Mass.