Softball Splits GNAC Twin Bill with Emmanuel (Mass.)

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier softball team hosted Emmanuel (Mass.) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader on Raider Diamond on Saturday evening. The Raiders won game one on a walk-off before dropping game two, 6-3, to split with the Saints.

Both teams moved to 9-11 overall with the results, with Rivier now at 2-2 and Emmanuel at 3-1 in GNAC contests.

Rivier heads to West Hartford, Conn. on Sunday, April 14 for a non-divisional doubleheader against Saint Joseph (Conn.) beginning at noon at the USJ Softball Field.

Rivier 3, Emmanuel 2

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the third inning, Rivier responded with a run in each of the next two innings to tie the contest.

With runners on and two outs, Kyleigh Burtsell came up to the plate as a pinch hitter and smacked a single through the right side that pushed in Kylee Caetano to record the winning run.

Hailey Berube of the Raiders pitched a complete game, allowing fit hits, two runs, and two walks while striking out one Saints batter to improve to 6-3.

Emmanuel 6, Rivier 3

The Raiders fell into a 4-0 hole in the second inning as the Saints' Olivia Conti sailed a solo homer over the fence in left. In the bottom half, Avry Nelson's fielder's choice knocked in Christina Panagiotopoulos to make it a three-run game.

Now leading 5-1 in the sixth, Emma Crisafulli homered to right field to make it 6-1.

Rivier mustered two runs over the fifth and sixth innings but could not complete the comeback.

Panagiotopoulos went 3-for-3 with an RBI and run.

Courtney Marioles came in to close out the final six innings in a relief appearance.