Softball splits double-header with Gordon College

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Softball team found the win column once again as they split a non-conference double-header with visiting Gordon College this evening at Raider Diamond. The Raiders improve to 3-5 overall on the season while Gordon slides to 3-10-1 following the conclusion of the games.

Game One: Rivier University 4, Gordon College 2 (Final)

Junior Shaylyn Freitas (Pelham, N.H.) smacked a go-ahead double in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie as the Raiders went on to win their third in a row, 4-2 over Gordon College.

Freitas' double allowed sophomore speedster Tori Dugan (Norwalk, Conn.) to scamper home with what turned to be the game winning run. Rivier added an insurance run in the sixth on a pinch hit suicide squeeze for the 4-2 final.

Senior Taylor Miller (Haverhill, Mass.) went the distance as she earned her first win of the season with seven innings of work. The veteran right-hander allowed just two runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out six.

Freitas finished the opening game going a perfect 2-for-2 with freshman Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) adding a RBI on her 1-for-2 evening.

The Fighting Scots saw Emily Kline pitch the complete game as she allowed four runs (two earned) over six innings on six hits and sending eight Raiders down by way of the K. Kline also added a 2-for-3 showing at the plate while Sarah Ryder collected two RBI going 1-for-2.

Game Two: Gordon College 8, Rivier University 0 (Final/5 innings)

The short lived Raider winning streak, three games, came to an abrupt end as the Gordon College offense woke up in the night cap. The Fighting Scots hammered two Home Runs as they ended the night early with an 8-0, five inning final.

Kline continued to remain red hot at the plate as she finished 2-for-3 with 4 RBI including a three-run homer in the third. Carleigh Petersen added a solo shot in the fifth to seal the game in Gordon's favor. Rose Shannon recorded a solid nightcap with a 2-for-3 effort at the dish.

Abigail Knowlton silenced the Rivier bats as she went five innings allowing just two hits.

Seniors Sam Verney (Goffstown, N.H.) and Lia Bobek (Hollis, N.H.) were the only two Raiders to record hits. Senior Jessica Shanahan (Merrimack, N.H.) suffered the loss in the circle with two innings of work allowing five runs – one earned.

Rivier will open up Great Northeast Athletic Conference play when they return to the diamond on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders will make the visit to Northfield, Vermont for a double-header with Norwich University. Gordon, meanwhile, will return to Commonwealth Coast Conference action with a road trip to Western New England on Friday afternoon.