Softball: Raiders take two from Buccaneers, 3-2 & 8-0.

Softball: Raiders take two from Buccaneers, 3-2 & 8-0.

Story written and posted by Hayden Barbosa, Rivier University Assistant Sports Information Director

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Raiders earned 2 wins tonight against non-conference competitors, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.  The wins lift the Raiders to 9-25 overall and the Buccaneers have dropped to 5-22.  

Game 1: Rivier University 3 vs. Mass Maritime 2 (final)

The Raiders started the first inning off with a quick 1-2-3.  Senior Casey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) was first to bat for the Raiders.  The centerfielder singled to left field right away.  Without hesitation the upperclassmen stole second when sophomore Katie Welch (Wilmington, Mass.) was at at bat.  Welch eventually struck out.  However, Senior slugger Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) cranked one into left field and Smith advanced to third. Then freshmen Hunter Greenleaf (Scraborough, Maine) stepped up to clean up.  The rookie wound up flying out to left field, sacrificing herself for the greater good sending Smith home. 

The top of the fourth, junior pitcher Jenna Nalette (Goffstown, N.H.) singled, sending 2 runners home to take a 2-1 lead. Unhappy with the runs, junior Courtney Trahan (Brooklyn, Conn.) struck out the next batter to end the inning.  

Both teams pitchers made light work of the bottom of the fourth and the top of the fifth.  It was the botttom of the fifth inning when Katarina earned a single that sent both Welch and Smith home to take the lead.  

 Trahan (Brooklynn, Conn.) outpitched Buccaneers pitcher by earning 6 K's and walking nobody.  Nalette earned 4 K's, walked 3 and gave up 4 hits. 

Game 2: Rivier University 8 vs. Mass Maritime (6 innings) 

It was sophomore Julia Daily (Dracut, Mass.) that earned the first single of the game.  Following her was Mikayla Ramsdell who doubled and sent Daily to third. Up next was Hunter Greenleaf who grounded out to the shortstop however earned an RBI once Dailey crossed home plate safely.  

Then junior power hitter, Taylor Rowsell (Chelmsford, Mass.) smashed one into center field for an infield home run sending Ramsdell home.  This was her third home run of the season and the 7th of her career.  

Freshman Sarah McCluskey (Lowell, Mass.) earned a single in the 2nd to send Mainville home and then Julia hit a homerun sending Kasey Smith home to make it 6-0.

The 6th inning is where the Buccaneers called mercy. Rowsell doubled to left field and called upon speedster Nicole Capra to pinch run.  Greeno wound up flying out to center field, Capra advanced to third.  With two outs, Morgan Pratt earned a single that sent Capra home.  McCluskey reached first on an error and sent Sara Maineville to second and Moran across the plate.  That was the 8th run, yeilding the mercy rule and ending the game 8-0. 

Freshman Sydney Greeno (Shirley, Mass.) spun an impressive game throwing 8 strikeouts while only give up 5 hits in 6 innings.  

Up next for the Raiders will be conference foes Norwich University this Saturday at the Presentation of Mary Academy (Hudson, N.H.). The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 1:00PM and the second match is scheduled for 3PM.