2024 Season Preview: Rivier Softball
NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier softball team kicks off their season on Monday, March 4 in Leesburg, Fla. at The Spring Games when they take on Concordia M'head with a first pitch set for 12:30 p.m.
The Raiders qualified for the conference tournament for the third consecutive season in 2023 after going 4-6 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division contests and finished 18-23 overall.
Rivier is eager to return to The Spring Games as they look to clinch multiple wins in the opening week of the campaign after going 0-10 in Florida last season.
First-year head coach Noelle Sass inherited a group of well-rounded athletes while the squad brought in five newcomers.
"I am so excited to start the season with this team and build our program to its potential," said Sass. "With the returning talent we have, and a few big impact additions in our first years, we have the depth and skillset to achieve our goals."
First-years Hayleigh Silva, Sophia Quinlan, and Hailey Berube look to make an immediate influence and will break the starting lineup in game one with Berube earning the nod in the circle.
Avry Nelson will be back behind the plate in her sophomore year after finishing with a .319 batting average and 22 hits in her first collegiate season. GNAC First Team and All-Rookie Team member Kylee Caetano is back for her sophomore season at second base after an outstanding first year. Caetano averaged .390 at the plate thanks to 48 hits coming from 11 doubles, three triples, and four homers which drove in 22 runs.
Sarah Frazier enters her junior season and will again spend most of her time at shortstop. Fraizer is a sound, consistent player who ended 2023 with a .298 batting average with 37 hits and 19 RBI. GNAC First Team honoree, Christina Panagiotopoulos, excelled in her first season at Riv in center field. She earned a .403 batting average with 48 hits with six home runs, five doubles, and two triples, knocking in a team-best 39 runs as a sophomore.
Hayley Rapaglia ended her 2023 season by collecting a .300 batting average on 39 hits and 25 RBI.
Courtney Marioles will see time in the circle while also being ready to help the Raiders in the infield.
Amanda Atkinson makes a comeback for her senior season and is expected to play at second base.
Rivier is set to play 10 games while in Florida over the course of a week, including a regional contest against Wentworth.
When returning to New England, the Raiders will play a pair of non-conference doubleheaders against Mass. Maritime and Fitchburg St., before tackling GNAC matchups in the following week. The Raiders will round out their out-of-conference slate with matchups against VTSU Lyndon, Plymouth St., Lesley, and Keene St. Rivier will have its work cut out against North Division foes, which include New England Col., Norwich, Emmanuel (Mass.), Anna Maria, Simmons, and St. Joseph's (Me.) The remainder of the slate will include contests against GNAC South competitors in Elms, St. Joseph (Conn.), and Mitchell.
"The culture this team has developed and the drive they have to succeed has me excited to see what they can accomplish," said Sass. "I look forward to seeing them overcome, learn, and grow through this season."
