Softball Scores 32 Runs in Doubleheader Sweep at Fitchburg St.

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Rivier softball team scored a combined 32 runs in a non-conference doubleheader sweep over Fitchburg St. Saturday afternoon at Donna-Lee Withington Field.

The Raiders posted a team batting average of .623 with 33 hits, nine of which were extra base hits.

The Raiders improved to 5-7 with the wins, while the Falcons fell to 1-12.

Rivier returns to the diamond on Saturday, Mar. 29 for its home opener and Mental Health Awareness game. The Raiders will take on non-conference opponent Thomas (Me.). First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the Raider Diamond.

Rivier 21, Fitchburg St. 6 (5 inn.)

The Raiders wasted no time getting their bats going, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Graduate student Hannah Muchemore opened the scoring with an RBI, followed by an RBI single from classmate Kayla Miles that brought home senior Courtney Marioles. Sophomore Avry Nelson added another RBI single to left center, extending Rivier's lead to 4-0.

Fitchburg State responded in the second inning, cutting the lead to 4-2 with runs scored on a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice.

Rivier tacked on another run in the third when junior Olivia Couto crossed the plate on a wild pitch. However, Fitchburg State surged ahead, taking a 6-5 lead after a run-scoring single to right-center.

The Raiders answered emphatically in the fourth inning, erupting for 11 runs. Sophomore Hayleigh Silva led off with a walk, and Marioles' single brought her home to spark the rally. Miles followed with a two-run double to left, plating Marioles and Muchemore to reclaim the lead at 8-6. Nelson reached on a throwing error, allowing another run to score, and junior Hayley Rapaglia chipped in with an RBI single. After sophomore Sophia Quinlan reached on a fielder's choice, Silva, junior Kylee Caetano, and Muchemore delivered back-to-back-to-back RBI hits, including doubles from Silva and Muchemore. A double steal by Miles and Marioles capped off the rally, putting Rivier ahead 16-6.

Rivier added five more runs over the final two innings, sealing the dominant 21-6 victory.

Silva and sophomore Hailey Berube split pitching duties, with Silva going two innings before Berube took over in relief, tossing three scoreless innings to secure the win.

At the plate, Caetano, Muchemore, Marioles, and Miles all went 3-for-5, combining for 12 runs scored. Silva and Couto also contributed, each going 2-for-4 and tallying six runs combined.

Rivier 11, Fitchburg St. 6

The Raiders carried their offensive momentum into game two, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning behind hits from Miles (single) and Rapaglia (double).

Fitchburg State got on the board in the second, scoring on a fielder's choice. However, Rapaglia and Quinlan fueled Rivier's next offensive surge. In the third inning, Rapaglia doubled to bring home Marioles, and in the fifth, she added a run-scoring single, while Quinlan delivered RBI singles in both innings to extend Rivier's lead to 9-2.

The Falcons pushed across runs in the third and sixth innings, cutting the deficit to six. However, senior Sarah Frazier and Caetano provided insurance runs in the seventh, each recording an RBI. Fitchburg State managed to score twice in the bottom half, but Rivier closed out the game for the 11-6 win.

Berube got the start, striking out two over three innings, while Marioles pitched the final four innings in relief, striking out one and earning the win.

Offensively, Rapaglia had a perfect 4-for-4 game at the plate, driving in four runs and scoring three. Quinlan went 2-for-3 with three RBI, while first-year Natalie Benac recorded the first hit of her collegiate career.