(Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) The Rivier University Softball team saw their overall record move to 4-2 after they split two games with Penn State – Berks and Baptist Bible College. The team was handed their second consecutive loss in the opening game by PSU-Berks, falling 9-4 but the Raiders were able to rebound in the nightcap by hanging a 10 spot on Baptist Bible in a 10-5 win.
Game One: Pennsylvania State University @ Berks 9, Rivier University 4 (Final)
A five run seventh doomed the Raiders in the day's first game as PSU-Berks went on to win 9-4. The Raiders had a slim one run lead after five innings of play but several miscues late in the ball game sent Rivier away with another loss.
Junior Sam Verney (Goffstown, N.H.) was the bright spot in the Raider lineup as she went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI out of the nine hole. Freshman Tori Dugan (Norwalk, Conn.) and sophomore Shaylyn Freitas (Pelham, N.H.) each added RBI base hits while freshman Emily Knoops (Tewksbury, Mass.) went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI in the contest. Freshman Shannon Sholds (Methuen, Mass. ) also recorded a hit as did classmate Hailey Reed (Nashua, N.H.).
Junior Taylor Miller (Haverhill, Mass.) suffered the loss in the circle as the right-hander surrendered nine runs (five earned) on eleven hits while retiring four by way of the K. Her overall record falls to 3-1.
Game Two: Rivier University 10, Baptist Bible (Pa.) College 5 (Final)
Rivier was able to rebound from this morning's loss as they banged out ten runs on thirteen hits en route to a 10-5 afternoon win over Baptist Bible College from Pennsylvania.
Junior newcomer Jess Shanahan (Merrimack, N.H.) overcame a rough first inning as she spun five innings in the game. She allowed four runs on three hits in the opening frame before scattering two hits and one run over her final four. Junior Libby Sammon (Rockland, Mass.) came in relief and tossed two innings of two hit ball.
Dugan continues to be a valuable table setter in Coach Morissette's offense. The freshman had another multi-hit game (3-for-4) with a RBI and 4 stolen bases. Sophomore Destiny Jordan (Lawrence, Mass.) smacked a pair of doubles as she went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and Reed continues her hot start with a 2 RBI, 2 hit afternoon. Knoops also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in the team's fourth win of the season.
The Raiders will enjoy a day off before wrapping up their annual spring trip to South Carolina. When they return to the diamond on Thursday (3/12) they will play a pair of games against Saint Elizabeth and Randolph College.
