Softball: Raiders tripped up by Falcons in a 10-9 loss.

Story written and posted by Hayden Barbosa, Rivier University Assistant Sports Information Director

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) The Rivier University Raiders suffer a loss to the Falcons of Cedar Crest College, 10-9.

The first inning went scoreless however by the bottom of the second the Falcons managed to put two on the board. 

From the top of the third, straight through the sixth it was all Raiders.  It started by freshmen Erin Kelly (W. Bridgewater, Mass.) singling into centerfield then senior Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) reached on a fielder's choice error by the Falcons short stop. Kelley advanced to second on the error and advanced to third. Kasey stole second   Freshman Brenna Welch (Rindge, N.H.) wound up getting hit by the pitch and like that the bases were loaded for the Raiders. Sophomore Hunter Greenleaf (Scarborough, Maine.) stepped to the plate next to crank a single up the middle and plated two Raiders, 2-2. 

When the Raiders returned to bat in the fourth, freshman Kayla Roque (Methuen, Mass.) singled, Kelley reached on fielder's choice and Kasey smacked another single this time down the right and Roque found home plate to take a 1-point lead. 

The sixth inning is when the Raiders took a six-point lead after the Raiders took to the offense.  It started when Roque singled through the left to then call upon sophomore Micayla Bourski (Pawtucket, R.I.) to pinch run.  Bourski advanced to second on a wild pitch and Kelley walked.  With a woman on first and second, Smith singled up the middle and sent Bourski home.  Then Smith scored off a Greenleaf single down the right field line. Gerardi singled to send Welch home and Rousseau cranked a double to left center to send Greenleaf across the plate.  The Falcons decided to switch pitchers mid-inning and simultaneously Katerina St. Angelo pinch hit for Nicole Verrette.  St. Angelo flied out to left field and Rousseau advanced to third on the throw and freshman Alyssa Gerardi (Manchester, N.H.) scored to make it 8-2. 

At the bottom of the sixth Cedar Crest responded with six runs after seven hits and an error.

The Raiders took the lead in the eighth inning when Welch found herself on first after a throwing error by the catcher.  Then Greenleaf got out at first after a sacrifice bunt that sent Welch to second.  Gerardi stepped up to ding one down left field to send her teammate home for the Raiders final run. The score now 9-8 in favor of the Raiders.

The Falcons wound up collecting three more hits and two more runs in the bottom of the eighth to put themselves up, 10-9.  It was a hard-fought contest for the Raiders, however they must move on to their next challenge of the day against the Spartans of Castleton College.