Softball: Welch, Raiders fall twice in Florida

(Fort Myers, Fla.) The Rivier University Softball team dropped both ends of their double-header this morning at the 2018 Gene Cusic Classic down in Lee County, Florida. The Raiders came out swinging in the first game but ultimately fell to Drew University, 13-4 and then lost the second game to Albion, 3-2 in a nail biter.

Game One: Drew University 13, Rivier University 4 (Final)

Rivier scored three runs in the top of the first inning but couldn't hold on as Drew University ended up winning 13-4. The Raiders surrendered eight runs in the final two innings as it was a 5-4 game entering the home half of the third.

Sophomore Tayla LeGrand (Tewksbury, Mass.) went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a RBI and senior Evelyn Susko (Hudson, N.H.) added two RBI on her 1-for-1 showing in the loss for Rivier. Sophomore Taylor Rowsell (Chelmsford, Mass.) spun 3.2 innings of work allowing nine runs (three earned) on nine hits while striking out four.

For Drew, they were paced by Brooke Adams who went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and Adrianna Rodriguez added four RBI on her 2-for-3 morning. Victoria Avella tossed a complete game surrendering four runs on six hits and striking out seven.

Game Two: Albion College 3, Rivier University 2 (Final)

The Raiders pushed across a run in the seventh but it wasn't enough as they dropped the second game of the morning to Albion College, 3-2.

Trailing by two, Susko lifted a sacrifice fly to score junior Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) however the next two Raiders were retired in order and the game ended with Rivier falling by a run.

LeGrand and freshman Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) were the only two Raiders to record hits in the contest as they each finished 1-for-3. Kennedy singled home LeGrand in the fourth inning for Rivier's first run of the game which cut the deficit to 2-1. Kennedy was also the pitcher of record as she spun six innings of 10-hit ball. The rookie right-hander allowed three runs while issuing three walks and striking out two.

Albion saw Eryn VanderVlucht go the distance giving up two runs on two hits and retiring seven Raiders by way of the K. Angela Hoffsis went 3-for-4 with two RBI as the table setter in the lineup and both Lauren Beougher and Estacia Martinez added two hits each.
…..
Rivier will be back in action tomorrow morning for another pair of contests beginning with a 9am start against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford. They will finish the morning with an 11am game against Geneva College.