Softball: Raiders capture first win of the season in Myrtle Beach, SC.

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

(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) There you have it the Raiders earn their first win of the 2020 campaign against the Spartans of Castleton College, 3-2. 

The Raiders quickly found themselves with an early lead at the top of the first.  It started with freshman Brenna Welch (Rindge, N.H.) singleing down the left field line.  Then sophomore Katerina St. Angleo (Johnston, R.I.) was sent to first after being hit by a pitch.  Finally, Hunter Greenleaf (Scarborough, Maine) cranked one into left field sending Welch home to notch the first run of the game. 

The Raiders struck again in the second inning. It initiated off of Freshman Nicole Verrette (Haverhill, Mass.) getting sent to first base after getting hit by a pitch. She eventually found herself advancing to second off a sacrifice bunt.  Then Senior centerfielder Kasey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) stepped to the plate and singled to second base after advancing due to a throwing error by Spartans second baseman.  Verrette crossed home plate and separated the two teams by two points. 

Junior pitcher Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) held Castleton off through the first three innings.  It was the bottom of the fourth when she gave up four hits and two runs, allowing the Spartans to equalize at 2-2. 

The two teams battled it out for the next 4 innings with both pitchers only giving up 1 hit a piece.  However, it was Hunter Greenleaf who scored the winning run off a wild pitch.  Greenleaf paced the Raiders offense as she earned two hits, an RBI and run.

Kennedy was credited with the win as he pitched 9 inning surrendering two runs (both earned) on eight hits and recorded seven strikeouts.