Raiders double up Rams, sweep GNAC Double-Header

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Softball team defended their home turf as they sweep the visiting Rams of Suffolk University this afternoon at Raider Diamond. Game one saw the Raiders battle back from a 3-0 deficit to a 5-4 victory in extra innings. Game two, Rivier's offense busted out 11 runs on 12 hits for an 11-3 mercy shortened 5 inning game.

Game One: Rivier University 5, Suffolk University 4 (8 innings)

Freshman Danielle Worthington (Uxbridge, MA) raced around to score on a Suffolk miscue as the Raiders plated four unanswered runs to steal the first game of the double-header, 5-4.

Suffolk got on the board right away as sophomore Sarah Chasse (Salem, MA) began the game with a sharp single up the middle. She would proceed to steal second before being moved to third on a groundout to the pitcher. Chasse would cross the plate a few pitches later when the Raiders' freshman Libby Sammon (Rockland, MA) uncorked a wild pitch.

The Rams plated two more runs in the third inning. Freshman Julia Ludvigsen (Dedham, MA) singled home both Chasse and sophomore Nicole Rosa (Wallingford, CT), who reached on a hit batsmen and walk respectively.

With two outs in the fifth, senior Marissa Mercier (North Smithfield, RI) was off on contact and scored on a RBI flare single to right field by freshman Kathryn Mostone (Pelham, NH).

Rivier then tied the ball game in the home half of the seventh with two outs. Mostone stepped up to the plate with junior Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) on second and Mercier at first. Mostone then drove an offering from Suffolk's Chasse into the left-center gap that plated both Peacock and Mercier to even the score at 3.

In the extra frame, Worthington – who was placed at second to begin the inning – scored the game winner with two outs as the Suffolk third baseman's throw to first on freshman Ally Nolan's (Willington, CT) ground ball, sailed over the first baseman's head.

Freshman Taylor Miller (Haverhill, MA) earned her second win in as many games as she relieved Sammon in the fifth inning. Sophomore Alicia Gonnella (Bridgewater, NJ) suffered the loss for Suffolk.

Game Two: Rivier University 11, Suffolk University 3 (5 innings)

The Raiders' offense exploded for 7 runs in the third inning en route to an 11-3 mercy shortened game to finish the sweep of the Rams.

Trailing 3-1, Mercier began the frame as she drilled her first home run of the season over the right field fence. With the bases loaded, freshman Kristen Esposito (Shrewsbury, MA) singled home junior Kirstie Clark (Brentwood, NH) before Nolan laced a 2 RBI double that plated both Worthington and Esposito. Freshman Lia Bobek (Hollis, NH) joined in on the fun as she doubled home freshman Sahara Brown (Barnstead, NH). A wild pitch then allowed Nolan to cross home plate for the sixth run and Bobek scampered home when the Suffolk catcher's throw to get Nolan eluded the pitcher.

Brown would knock in a pair in the fourth as her double scored both Clark and Worthington. Mericer then finished the game as she singled home Peacock for the 11th run and gave the Raiders the 8 run difference for the mercy rule win.

Miller pitched a complete game for the Raiders to earn her second win of the afternoon. Ludvigsen took the loss for Suffolk as she allowed six runs (four earned) over her 2 innings.

Peacock finished the day going 4-for-8 with three runs scored and two stolen bases. Mercier ended her afternoon with a 2-for-6 (2 RBI) line while both Mostone and Nolan each had 2-for-7 performances. Mostone finished with 3 RBI while Nolan recorded two.

Chasse was the leading hitter for Suffolk as she was 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a double. Ludvigsen collected three RBI on two hits while Gonnella and junior Erin McAndrews (Marblehead, MA) each had a pair of hits.

Rivier, now 7-8 overall and 4-2 in the GNAC, will return to the diamond on Wednesday evening when they host Lasell College in GNAC action. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm up on Raider Diamond. Suffolk will travel to MIT for their next match up which is also on Wednesday.