Six Raiders honored for their work on the Diamond

(Nashua, NH) Earlier this week, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference released their End of Season Honors and five different Rivier Raiders were selected – three on the first team and one on each the second and third teams.

Representing the Softball team that finished with a 17-9 conference record by being selected to the All-GNAC 1st team were junior Marissa Mercier (North Smithfield, RI) and sophomores Catherine Roy (Dracut, MA) and Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI).

Mercier was a force behind and at the plate all season for the Raiders. Mercier came in 2nd in the GNAC with 6 bombs just 1 behind the leader and came in 11th in avg. with .403 but finished with an overall .450 avg. for 4th best in the GNAC. Mercier came in 2nd in the team with 21 RBI and led with Raiders with a .805 slg%. While not only being the dangerous power threat she was also a defensive leader compiling a .993 fld% at the catcher position while handling the Raiders pitching staff.

This past season Roy established herself as one of the top hitters in the GNAC as she finished 2nd overall in the conference in hitting with a staggering .520 batting average Along with her team leading batting average, Roy also led the team in RBI with 40 overall and 31 in the GNAC for 3rd best in the conference. She also had an OBP of .549 to go along with her .961 Fielding percentage making her season all around strong.

The leadoff hitter for the Raiders this season had arguably the best season for any leadoff hitter in the GNAC. Peacock led the GNAC in stolen bases with 19 and finished 8th in the league with a .438 batting average. To go along with her outstanding offensive numbers Peacock also achieved a perfect 1.000 fld% while playing center field for the Raiders.

With an all-around solid season Junior Amanda Thornton (Hanover, MA) compiled outstanding stats playing left field for the Raiders. Thornton batted .377 in the GNAC with 14 RBI and stealing 4 bases while having a .966 fld% in left field. She was named to the All-GNAC 2nd team as an outfielder.

In her last season with the Raiders senior Karen Waterman (Rutland, CT) had a wonderful season even despite it was shortened at points with injury. Waterman was second on the team in conference batting average with .442 and 3rd on the team in RBI with 15. The captain of the Raiders was chosen as an All-GNAC 3rd team infielder.

Sophomore Samantha Gagnon (Rollinsford, NH) was named to the sportsmanship team after having a great season for the Raiders. Gagnon compiled a .429 AVG with 3 stolen bases and had a perfect season in the field with a 1.000%.

For a complete list of the 2012 All-GNAC Softball team, visit www.thegnac.com .