Softball stumbles at Norwich; drops both ends of GNAC twin-bill

(Northfield, Vermont) The Rivier University Softball team fell twice today in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference double-header at Norwich University, 9-7 and 9-4. The losses are the first conference defeats for Rivier in 2016 as they opened their GNAC portion of the schedule. The Raiders are now 3-7 overall, 0-2 GNAC while the Cadets earn their first wins of the season and are now 2-10, 2-0 GNAC.

Game One: Norwich University 9, Rivier University 7 (Final)

The Raiders bats were alive in the day's opening game as they out hit Norwich, 12-7. However it was the 12 walks from the pitching staff that allowed Norwich to sneak out the 9-7 win.

Rivier plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 7-6 lead – thanks in large part to freshman Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) smacking a two-out, two-run single through the left side. The lead was short lived as Norwich battled back with a three run home half of the inning to hang on for the win.

Ramsdell finished the game going 2-for-4 with 4 RBI and junior Shaylyn Freitas (Pelham, N.H.) added a 2-for-3 afternoon with three runs scored in the loss. Junior Nicole Scotti (Concord, N.H.) also had a two-hit day.

Freshman Kerri Heggarty (Tewksbury, Mass.) received the loss in the circle as she allowed three runs (one earned) over her 1.1 innings of work. The southpaw issued four walks and gave up just one hit. Senior starter Taylor Miller (Haverhill, Mass.) tossed the first 4.2 innings as she issued eight walks and allowed six runs on five hits.

Game Two: Norwich University 9, Rivier University 4 (Final)

In the final game of the afternoon, the Raiders' bats went silent as they only managed four hits while striking out ten times in the 9-4 defeat.

Sophomore Tori Dugan (Norwalk, Conn.) went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI for Rivier while Fretias continues to see the ball well at the plate as she went 1-for-1 with two RBI and two walks. Freshman Evelyn Susko (Hudson, N.H.) and senior Lia Bobek (Hollis, N.H.) were the other Raiders to record hits in the game.

Senior Jess Shanahan (Merrimack, N.H.) suffered the loss as she pitched four innings giving up seven runs (three earned) on nine hits. Miller spun the final two innings allowing two runs on four hits.

Rivier will return home as they get set to host Emmanuel College in a GNAC Double-Header on Wednesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30pm.