Softball: Raiders stumble down in Fort Myers, Fla.

(Fort Myers, Fla.) After a day off, the River University Softball team returned to action this morning as they dropped both contests down at the 2018 Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Raiders fell in the first game to Penn State – Altoona, 6-4, before getting beat by New Jersey City University 10-2 in six innings. Rivier is now 0-8 to begin the 2018 season.

Game One: Penn State University – Altoona 6, Rivier University 4 (FINAL)

Trailing by six runs, the Raiders mounted a late comeback but left the tying run at first base in the 6-4 loss to Penn State-Altoona this morning.

Freshman Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) pitched well as she spun 4.1 innings of work allowing six runs, two of which were earned, on nine hits and striking out three. Sophomore Taylor Rowsell (Chelmsford, Mass.) finished out the ball game with 2.2 innings of two-hit ball to keep the Raiders within striking distance.

Junior Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) went 2-for-4 with a RBI and senior Evelyn Susko (Hudson, N.H.) smacked a two-run double in the sixth to finish 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. Freshman Morgan Pratt (Pelham, N.H.) also singled home a run as she went 1-for-2.

For the Nittany Lions, Haley Giedroc was 4-for-4 with two RBI to support the pitching effort from Sidney Shultz. Shultz pitched a complete game striking out two, walking two and giving up four runs (two earned) on six hits.

Game Two: New Jersey City University 10, Rivier University 2 (FINAL/6)

A four run sixth was the dagger for the Raiders as they fell to New Jersey City University, 10-2 in six innings to close out the day. Rivier surrendered four runs in the top half of the second inning before cutting the deficit to two in the bottom half of the frame. However NJCU platted two runs in the fourth and four in the sixth to hand the Raiders a loss.

Junior Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) knocked home the only runs in the contest as she singled up the middle to plate Rowsell and freshman Alexa Zienkiewicz (Goffstown, N.H.). Those three each finished 1-for-2 and sophomore Tayla Legrand (Tewksbury, Mass.) collected the other Raider hit on her 1-for-3 performance.

Junior Kerri Hegarty (Tewksbury, Mass.) earned the start inside the circle and suffered the loss as she allowed four runs, all unearned, on three hits in just 1.2 innings of work. Roswell and Kennedy finished out the game for the Raiders.

NJCU's Christina Mezey gave up two runs on four hits while striking out five and Juliana Squeo went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI to lead the team.
…….
Rivier will close out the annual Spring Break trip tomorrow as they square off against Edgewood (9am) and Brockport (1pm).