Nashua, N.H. - The Rivier University softball program was swept by the visiting Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph last night after a three-week pause from competition.

The Basics

Score: Rivier University 0, University of St. Joseph 8 (Game One)

Score: Rivier University 6, University of St. Joseph 8 (Game Two)

How It Happened

Game One

Both programs went scoreless in the first three innings showing resistant defense and incredible pitching. However, it was the top of the fourth when the visitors struck first earning five runs.  Unable to respond, the Raiders put up a good fight but just couldn't get anything going against USJ's starting pitcher Allesandra Milardo.  The visitors scored three more runs shut the Raiders out collecting a total of 16 strikeouts while only giving out two hits game one. 

Game Two

The start of the second looked much like the first.  USJ had an eight run lead until the bottom of the fifth when senior Katie Welch (Wilmington, Mass.) scored their first run off a Nicole Capra (Windham, N.H.) single.  In the same inning senior centerfielder Casey Smith (Hopkinton, N.H.) stole home to narrow the Blue Jay's lead. The Raiders went on to score four runs in the seventh inning. The first was off a freshman Kayla Myles (Londonderry, N.H.) singled to left field that sent Smith home. Then junior Emma Rousseau (Litchfield, N.H.) cranked a three run homer to centerfield sending Capra and Myles across the plate shortening the deficit, 8-6.

Inside the Numbers

Senior pitcher Kellie Kennedy (Hudson, N.H.) earned herself five strikeouts in game one.

Junior Sydney Greeno (Shirley, Mass.) earned a strikeout and Nicole Verrette (Haverhill, Mass.) three K's of her own.

Emma Rousseau earned a three run homer and now leads the Raiders with 8 runs on the season.

Next

The Raiders are slated to face the Lasers of Lasell University tomorrow afternoon in Newton, Mass.