Softball: 2020 Preseason Preview
Story written and posted by Hayden Barbosa, Rivier University Assistant Sports Information Director
(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Raiders softball team is amped up for what might be the most exciting season in program history. The Raiders are looking forward to competing in their brand new, state-of-the-art, stadium facility giving new look to Raider Diamond. The facility showcases enclosed dugouts, a bullpen, stadium seating and a press box behind home base. In addition, less than 100 yards away, sits Raider Pavilion. The Pavilion will provide the Raiders a comfortable locker room as well as an accommodating locker room for the visiting team and umpires. It also has beautiful restrooms for fans and a work station for the athletic training staff.
The Raiders roster of 23 members include four seniors, three juniors, nine sophomores and seven freshmen.
In 2019 the Raiders went 10-26 overall and 4-12 in conference play. This year they look to continue building upon a strong foundation of upperclassemen.
Two of the four returning seniors will share the mound. Seniors Taylor Rowsell (Chelmsford, Mass.) looks to add to her 29 career starts while Courtney Trahan (Brooklyn, Conn.) looks to break her 100 innings pitched mark. Kendall Liggett (Litchfield, N.H.) returns alongside Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) who will be looking to add to her stolen base record, 55.
As for the juniors, Rivier's top pitcher Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) will return with 138 strikeouts under her belt. Morgan Pratt will return to first base while lefty batter Katie Welch (Wilmington, MA) looks to break her 100 at bats as she's currently sits at 99.
The sophomore-heavy group returns a slew of players with a year of experience in the books. Three talented catchers look to share home plate, Katerina St. Angelo (Johnston, R.I.), Hunter Greenleaf (Scarborough, Maine) and Kelsey Sammataro (Windham, N.H.). Lefty Micayla Bourski (Pawtucket, R.I.), Sarah McCluskey (Lowell, Mass.) and Emma Rousseau (Litchfield, N.H.) will be expected to run the outfield and snag some line drives, while Nicole Capra (Lowell, Mass.) and Sara Mainville (Lowell, Mass.) will collect popups and grounders in the infield.
The coaching staff brought in a promising group of talented freshmen who are looking to contribute immediately. Katherine Quinn (Salem, N.H.) joins the Raiders as a dynamic utility player along with four other infielders; Erin Kelley (W. Bridgewater, Mass.), Mia Harmon (Concord, N.H.), Brenna Welch (Rindge, N.H.), a lefty Kayla Roque (Methuen, Mass.).
Nicole Verrette (Haverhill, Mass.) will be found on the mound and behind home plate will be Alyssa Gerardi (Manchester, N.H.), looking to make a difference.
The captains who will lead the charge this year will be Taylor Rowsell and Katerina St. Angelo.
Coach Mike Holloran is back for his 17th season and joining him will be Gerry Miller (4th season) and Steve Yarbrody (2nd season).
The Raiders will kick their spring off at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for five days of double headers against teams from all over. Their first double header will be against St. Elizabeth College (Morristown, N.J.) and King's College (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). The first pitch was thrown today at 9:30AM.
