Softball Wins One of Two with New England College

HENNIKER, NH: Rivier softball split with New England College in non-conference action this afternoon.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/18/23

- Score: NEC 8, Rivier 3. Rivier 5, NEC 2

- Records: NEC (10-18), Rivier (14-18)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

-  The Pilgrims would start the scoring off in the bottom of the first on a sac fly. They would add on to make it 2-0 in the bottom of the third on an RBI single up the middle by Emma Lopez.

- Christina Panagiotopoulos (Lowell, MA) would get one back in the fourth on a solo shot to center field. New England would have their biggest bottom half of an inning following the home run, scoring five runs in the fourth. Grace Giesler would bring in two on a double to left field. The very next batter, Destiny Helmedach, would go yard to left center field, bringing in Giesler and herself.

- Rivier would have a two-run inning in the fifth but wouldn't be able to close the gap. Hayley Rapaglia (Methuen, MA) would bring in the second Raider run on a single to left center field. Avery Nelson (Methuen, MA) would plate the last run for Riv on another single through the left side.

- Jocelin Vachon would get the win (2-0) after going four innings with four hits, three earned runs, and three strikeouts. Sydney Greeno (Shirley, MA) would get the loss (5-8) after going three innings allowing 13 hits and eight earned runs. Olivia Olsen would get the save after pitching in three scoreless innings with just four hits allowed.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Top Performers

-  Helmedach was 1-for-2 with 3 RBIs, a home run, and a sacrifice fly.

-  Giesler was 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored.

-  Rapaglia was 3-for-4 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

-  The Raiders would go up 2-0 in the top of the second and never trail in the rest of the game. Christina Louh (Pelham, NH) would plate one on a fielder's choice. Kylee Caetano (New Bedford, MA) would do the same to score the second Rivier run. The Pilgrims would get one in the bottom half of the inning to make it a one-run game after Ashleigh Lemay reached on a single to left center to plate one.

-  Rivier would have a three-run fifth inning courtesy of one swing from the hottest bat in the lineup for the Raiders in Panagiotopoulos to left center. New England would get one more to finish the game in the bottom of the seventh on a Taylor Maher single.

- Rapaglia would get the win (2-0) in the circle after going all seven innings. She allowed ten hits with one earned run and three strikeouts. Emily Farone would be tagged with the loss (0-6) after pitching 4.1 innings, giving up seven hits, five earned runs, and two strikeouts.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Top Performers

-  Panagiotopoulos was 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and a run scored.

-  Emma Lopez was 3-for-4

-  Jasmin Alvarado was 2-for-3

UP NEXT:

- Rivier softball will be back Saturday when they travel to the Monks of St. Joe's for a 12 PM start.

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