(Myrtle Beach, SC) The Rivier University softball team traveled to Myrtle Beach over spring break to open their 2013 season. The Raiders went 2-6 on the trip picking up wins against Emory & Henry College and Penn St. –Beaver.
March 3, 2013
Game One: Malone University 6, Rivier University 2
In their first game of the season the Raiders fell to the Malone University Pioneers 6-2. The Raiders offense was led by senior catcher Marissa Mercier (N. Smithfield, RI) who hit her first homerun of the year in the fourth inning. The 2 run dinger was the lone bright spot for the Raider offense which was only able to accumulate 4 hits. Junior Hillary Tarr (North Easton, MA) earned the loss after facing 23 batters in 5 innings of work in which she struck out 3 and surrendered 3 runs.
Game Two: Malone University 10, Rivier University 1 (Five Innings)
The Raiders fell to 0-2 after a 10-1 loss in their second game of the afternoon. The lone Raider hit came from leadoff hitter Nicole Peacock (Warwick, RI) in the first at bat of the game. Peacock would then steal both second and third and score on an error by the third baseman. Freshman Taylor Miller (Haverhill, MA) suffered the loss in her first collegiate start in which she surrendered 6 earned runs in 3 innings of work.
March 4, 2013
Game One: Rivier University 9, Emory &Henry College 7
The Raiders notched their first victory of the young season 9-7 over the Emory & Henry College Hornets. The win was highlighted by juniors Nicole Peacock and Hillary Tarr. Tarr pitched brilliantly for the Raiders striking out 5 while pitching a complete game. On the other side of the plate Tarr would add to her cause with a 1-2 day at the plate with a 2 RBI double and a walk. Peacock was a force at the plate going 3-4 from the leadoff position. She accumulated 5 RBIs off of 2 homeruns and stole 2 bases.
Game Two: Penn St. – Beaver8, Rivier University 7
In their second game of the day the Raiders came up short against Penn St. Beaver 8-7. Once again Peacock had a monster game at the plate and in the base path. She led the Raiders offense with 3 hits, 2 RBIs, another homerun and an additional 5 stolen bases. Also driving in runs for the Raiders was Marissa Mercier and junior Kirstie Clark (Brentwood, NH). Taylor Miller went 5 strong innings for the Raiders but a four run 3rd inning proved to be costly as the Raider offense was unable to complete the comeback.
March 5, 2013
Game One: Penn St. – Berks 11, Rivier University 0
Getting the start in the first game of the day for the Raiders was freshman Libby Sammon (Rockand, MA). She surrendered 10 runs over 6 innings while striking out 4. The Raiders stayed close through 5 innings but Penn St Berks tallied 9 runs in the final two frames to earn the 11-0 victory. The Nittany Lions were led Jess Epler who pitched a complete game striking out 7 and allowing only 5 hits. At the plate she contributed to her pitching effort by going 2-5 with 5 RBIs.
Game Two Penn St. – Altoona 8, Rivier University 0 (Five Innings)
In the second game of the day the Raiders fell to 1-5 after Penn St. –Altoona earned the 8-0 victory in 5 innings. Marissa Mercier and freshman Allyson Nolan (Willington, CT) had both Raider hits on the afternoon and Nolan added a stolen base. The Penn St. –Altoona offense exploded for 13 hits in the contest and 5 batters had multi-hit games. Leading the way was pitcher and leadoff batter Jackie Smith who pitched a shutout and struck out 3. At the plate she went 3-4 with a double, 3 RBIs, and a stolen base.
March 6, 2013
Rivier University 11, Penn St. – Beaver 0 (Five Innings)
In their only game of the day the Raiders absolutely dominated Penn St. Beaver from the start of the game to notch 11 runs in 5 innings to earn their second victory of the season. The Raider offense exploded for 14 hits and 11 runs and the defense was anchored by a complete game, 3 strikeout performance from Hillary Tarr. The Rivier attack saw multi-hit games from Peacock, Mercier, Tarr and freshman Sahara Brown (Barnstead, NH). Peacock was 3-4 on the day with a double, homerun, 3 RBIs and a stolen base. Mercier was 2-3 at the plate with 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a stolen base at home. Brown was a perfect 3-3 in the batter's box with an RBI off of a bases loaded single. With the victory Tarr improved to 2-2 on the season and the Raiders notched their second victory of the season.
March 7, 2013
Penn St. - Altoona 10, Rivier University 4
In their final game of the road trip the Raiders dropped the contest to Penn St. Altoona 10-4. Marissa Mercier led the Rivier offense with a 2-3 day at the plate which included a double and a homerun. The Raiders received a collective pitching effort from Miller, Sammon, and Tarr and the trio combined for 10 runs, all earned. Penn St. Altoona was led by Brittany Smith and Lily Glunt who combined for 3 hits and 4 RBIs. Earning the win for the Lady Lions was Cassondra Ross who pitched 4 innings in the contest.
