Rivier Splits GNAC Double Header With Albertus Magnus

(Nashua, New Hampshire) The Rivier University Softball team split today in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference double-header at Rivier versus Albertus Magnus College, winning the second game 5-4 after dropping the first 8-6. The Raiders are now 5-11 overall, 2-6 GNAC, while the Falcons are now 14-4, 5-1 GNAC.

Game One: Albertus Magnus College 8, Rivier University 6 (Final)

The Raiders mounted a late surge with 3 runs in the bottom of the 7^th.  Destiny Jordan (JR, Lawrence, MA) started the late surge with a lead-off hit.  Lia Bobek (SR, Hollis, N.H.) followed up by reaching base.  Tori Dugan (SO, Norwalk, CT) stepped up and delivered with a triple to knock in Jordan and Bobek and pull Rivier within three runs at 8-5.  The Raiders continued the pressure, with Shaylyn Freitas (JR, Pelham, NH) knocking in Dugan and tightening the score to 8-6.  The rally came up short, with Rivier leaving Mikayla Ramsdell (FR, Salem, NH) stranded on base.  

Rivier got strong outings from Dugan who was 3 for 4, with 2 RBIs, and 2 runs; Freitas who was 2 for 4, with 1 RBI, and 1 run; and Nicole Scotti (JR, Concord, NH) also added an RBI.

The visiting Falcons were paced by Gillian Fortier with 2 RBIs and 2 runs; Melissa Castillo (SO, Taftville, CT) with 1 RBI and 2 runs; Alyssa Puccilli (SR, Milford, CT) with 1 RBI; and Megan Kelly (JR, Bronx, NY) with 2 runs. 

Jess Shanahan (SR, Merrimack, NH) took the loss for the Raiders.  She threw the first 3 innings.  Kerri Hegarty (FR, Tewksbury, MA) closed out the game.  Megan Ferraro (SO, Branford, CT) pitched the first six innings and Kristin Cunning (FR, Hoboken, NJ) came in for the seventh inning for Albertus Magnus.    

Game Two: Rivier University 5, Albertus Magnus College 4 (Final)

In the final game of the day, the Raiders ground out a 5-4 victory to split the double header.  With the score tied up at 2-2 after 6 innings, Albertus Magnus scored 2 in the top of the 7^th to take a 4-2 lead.  Amanda Jessey (JR, East Haven, CT) reached base on an error.  Fortier knocked her in to push the Falcons up 3-2.  Castillo added another RBI on the day and drove in Fortier for the 2 run lead.  Rivier responded by putting together a thrilling comeback in the bottom of the 7^th.  Dugan started the comeback by outrunning the first baseman to get on base.  She pushed for more and got it when she stole 2^nd.  Freitas rewarded Dugan's hustle by driving her in with a single to left field, and pulling the Raiders to within one at 4-3.  Shanahan came on to pinch run for Freitas.  Ramsdell continued the Raiders push with by dropping a sacrifice bunt, with 2 strikes against her, that advanced Shanahan from 1^st to 3^rd.  Sam Verney (SR, Goffstown, NH) kept the pressure on by drawing a walk and stealing 2^nd.  That set the stage for Kathryn Mostone (SR, Pelham, NH).  The senior captain hit a walk-off 2 RBI single to right center field to win the game, 5-4.             

The Raiders were paced by Freitas who had 1 home run, with 1 RBI, and 1 run; Mostone with 2 RBIs; Tori Dugan with 1 run; Verney with 1 run; and Bobek with 1 run.   

Albertus Magnus was led by Fortier with 1 RBI and 3 runs; Castillo with 1 RBI; Puccilli with 1 RBI; and Jessey with 1 run.  Shyleen Ortiz (JR, New Britain, CT) took the loss for the Falcons.  Cunning started the 2^nd game before she was relieved by Samantha Maselli (SO, Rockville Centre, NY).  Ortiz came on in relief of Maselli. 

Taylor Miller (SR, Haverhill, MA) recorded the win for the Raiders.  She went the distance in the GNAC victory. 

Next up for Rivier is a Double-Header on April 12^th at home versus Pine Manor College. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm.  Albertus Magnus returns to action versus Johnson & Wales University in a home GNAC tilt on April 13^th.