Rivier College 2011 Softball Preview

The 2010 Rivier College Softball season was a special one.  The team won a school record 33 games in 2010 on their way to the second GNAC Championship and NCAA appearance in three seasons for the team.  Once in the NCAA Tournament the Raiders won in the first round to become the first team in school history to win an NCAA Tournament game.  Enter 2011…..A new coaching staff, 6 returning players and 9 freshmen have all the makings of a rebuilding year, but is it?

“The 2011 Softball Team shows a lot of promise to compete right away and continue the success that this program has had the past few years,” said Head Coach Dave Morissette "Our goal is to get better every day and see where that leads us at the end of the year.  We are too young to talk about anything else.”

Pitching
Three young pitchers will lead the staff this season beginning with freshmen Hillary Tarr (North Easton, MA) who has emerged as the ace of the staff.  She is followed by classmate Lauren Beatty(Sherman, CT), who should also be tough on the mound, and both have real good bats and can play any infield position as well.  Sophomore Nadjeska Reynolds(Hamden, CT) has been a pleasant surprise as she works real hard to earn innings this season, Nadjeska is also a pretty talented outfielder.

Coach Morissette on Pitching - “The big question that I have been asked since taking over the program is how do you replace Monica White?  You can’t, she was special.  I will tell you we have three young ladies that work real hard and are very competitive.  I believe they will emerge into quality GNAC pitchers that love to compete and play.  I really look forward in watching the development of these special young ladies.” 

Outfield
Sophomore Amanda “Mandy” Thornton(Hanover, MA) will lead a very good athletic outfield this season.  Amanda came up with the game winning hit in the GNAC Championship last season and looks to improve into one of the team leaders this season.  Freshmen Nicole Peacock(Warwick, RI) was the GNAC “Rookie of the Year” in Volleyball and looks to make a huge splash on the softball field, she has incredible speed and can handle the bat real well.  Freshmen Myranda Knight (Anson, ME) is very good at using her speed and covering ground in the field and on the base path.  Freshmen Tristina Douillette (Penacook, NH), Emily Mandigo (Norwell, MA) and sophomore Sarah Howard(W. Greenwich, RI) round out the outfielders and all bring valuable skills that will be needed this season. 

Coach Morissette on the Outfield - “The athleticism is outstanding and they can all hit the ball.  I feel real comfortable with this young group defensively, they all have strong arms and they can cover the gaps real well.  It will be fun watching the chemistry of this group come together.”  

Infield - Catchers
First base and catcher have two high quality players that will be interchangeable all season starting with senior captain Amanda Ryan (W. Bridgewater, MA).  Amanda is the backbone and leader of this team and one of the most talented players in the GNAC.  Sophomore Marissa Mercier (N. Smithfield, RI) will look to split time with Amanda at first base and catcher as she is very athletic and has tremendous power.  Both look to have huge seasons.  Utility freshmen Brittnii Dyer (Douglas, MA) can play catcher, first base and third base and has pretty good power.  Junior captain Karen Waterman(Rutland, VT) looks to anchor this young infield.  This Rutland, VT native is the starting second baseman and can really hit the ball.  Freshmen Catherine Roy(Dracut, MA) has emerged as the starting shortstop.  Catherine has a terrific bat and is very fundamentally sound and will have no problem stepping in to fill the middle infield spot.  Freshmen Kirstie Clark(Brentwood, NH) is also a good catcher and could see some time in the infield as well.  Freshmen Tristina Douillette was also an accomplished catcher in high school and will be able to fill in during the long double header weekends played throughout New England.  Pitchers Hillary Tarr and Lauren Beatty have good gloves as well and look to see a lot of action this spring in the infield.

Coach Morissette on Infield – Catchers - “This group is so versatile and they work so hard.  We will be able to do many things with this versatility and the best thing is this team has no egos and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.  Watching this group mold together is going to be fun.”

Coach Morissette on the Season - “I really like the talent level, work ethic and dedication to the program this group has shown so far.  Amanda and Karen have done a great job leading us and our chemistry has been outstanding.  Mike Holloran has been a great asset since joining us as an Assistant Coach.  He has been a College Assistant  (Rivier and Daniel Webster College) before and the Varsity Coach at Nashua North the last few years.”

“We have a lot to learn and we will go through some growing pains at times this year.  Our focus is on getting better every day and reaching our potential by the end of the season.  Hopefully that will mean we are playing on the last day of the GNAC’s.