Softball: Trahan's no-hitter guides Raiders to GNAC split at Regis

(Weston, Mass.) The Rivier University Softball team picked up an important split this evening in their Great Northeast Athletic Conference double-header at Regis College. The Raiders fell victim in game one, 3-1 before a historical effort in game two led them to a 10-0 win. Rivier is now 9-21 on the season with a 4-12 mark against GNAC competition while the Pride slide to 5-15 overall, 1-11 in the conference.

Game One: Regis College 3, Rivier University 1 (FINAL)

In the first game of the evening, the Raiders struck first in the top of the fourth. Sophomore Taylor Rowsell (Chelmsford, Mass.) doubled to center field earning a RBI with junior Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) scoring the run. The double was the only hit that Regis sophomore Madi McLellan (Fremont, N.H.) would allow in her outing, and gave Rivier a 1-0 lead.

The Pride fought their way back in the fifth, however. Ellery Rasmussen (Kingston, N.H.) started the run for the Pride with a RBI single to right field with Erika Andreoli (Naugatuck, Conn.) scoring the run. Alexa Nejaime (Sandisfield, Mass.) and McLellan also had RBI singles in the fifth to make the score 3-1.

Freshman Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) received the loss, for the Raiders allowing eight hits and three runs in four and a third. The three runs were all the Pride pitching would need as McLellan gets the win. Allie Petillo (West Sayville, N.Y.) got her first career save as the Pride, allowing one hit and no runs in an inning and a third.

Game Two: Rivier University 10, Regis College 0 (FINAL/5 INN)

Rivier sophomore Courtney Trahan (Brooklyn, Conn.) was the story of game number two, as the right-hander threw a no-hitter. Trahan needed only 55 pitches to no-hit the Pride for her third win of the season. It was the first no-hitter in Rivier Softball history since 2010.
Trahan got all the run support she would need in the top of the first inning, even helping her own cause. After an RBI groundout by Rowsell and a bases loaded walk, Trahan recorded an RBI single down the left field line, putting her team ahead 3-0.
Rowsell dealt the Pride a big blow in the top of the second to put the game out of reach in the second inning, roping a bases-clearing double to left to put her team ahead 6-0. The Raiders would tack on a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings as well, giving the game its final score of 10-0.
Petillo got the loss in game two, throwing 1+ inning and allowing five earned runs. Freshman Alyssa Rossillo (Sudbury, Mass.) came on in relief, allowing four earned on six hits in four innings of work for the Pride.

Trahan was not only stellar in the circle in her no-no, but she also went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Smith also had a big game at the plate for the visitors, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Rivier will return to action on Saturday afternoon as they host Saint Joseph's College (Me.) for a conference twin-bill beginning at 1pm. It will also serve as senior day as the Raiders sendoff Evelyn Susko (Hudson, N.H.) and Linsey Roth (Tyngboro, Mass.) in their final home game.