NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier softball team swept Norwich on Senior Day in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Divisional doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Raider Diamond.
The Raiders qualified for the GNAC Tournament for the second consecutive season, posting a 21-13 overall record with a 13-3 league ledger, which includes a 9-3 record against North Division opponents.
The pair of victories earned in the twin bill marked the Raiders' first 21-win season since 2012 and was the first 20+ win season for second year head coach Noelle Sass.
The Cadets ended their season with a record of 5-17 (4-12 GNAC).
Rivier 14, Norwich 6
The Cadets scored two quick runs in the top of the first inning and extended their lead to six runs in the top half of the second on seven hits, two Rivier errors, and one walk.
Rivier answered by cutting the deficit to two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Back-to-back RBI singles from sophomore Sophia Quinlan and graduate student Kayla Miles cut the Rivier deficit to four runs. With the bases load and two outs later in the inning, junior Olivia Couto recorded a two RBI double, bringing home senior Sarah Frazier and sophomore Hayleigh Silva, bringing the Raiders within two.
Rivier carried its offensive momentum into the third inning after junior Hayley Rapaglia retired the side with two strikeouts in her first full inning in relief in the top half of the frame. The Raiders added five runs in the bottom of the third with Quinlan producing her second RBI single to make it 6-5. A wild pitch scored junior Kylee Caetano, knotting the game up. Two singles in succession off the bats of Silva and graduate student Hannah Muchemore put Rivier in front, 9-6.
Following a scoreless fourth inning for both squads, the Raiders added another four runs on four hits, to sit one shy of the run rule in the bottom of the fifth inning.
An RBI single from Couto with one on and one out in the bottom of the sixth scored Frazier and secured the 14-6 game one victory.
Rapaglia earned the win, allowing zero runs on one hit with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Couto, Muchemore, and Quinlan each contributed three hits, with Couto adding a team-high four runs batted in.
Rivier 9, Norwich 2
The Raiders picked up right where they left off, scoring two runs with two outs in the top of the first inning. Olivia Couto and Kylee Caetano went back-to-back with a pair of RBI base hits.
An RBI single from junior Avry Nelson in the bottom of the fourth inning brought the bats back to life for Rivier. Sophia Quinlan extended the Raiders' advantage to 4-0 with an RBI single before a throwing error by the catcher brought home Nelson to make it a five-run lead. An RBI single from Hayley Rapaglia and a sacrifice fly from Hannah Muchemore put Rivier ahead by seven runs after four innings of play.
Norwich recorded its first run of the contest as a result of an RBI single to left field from Adelette Gutierrez in the top of the fifth inning. The Raiders regained their seven-run lead in the bottom half of the frame on Nelson's second RBI base knock of the contest.
The Cadets scored their second run on an RBI double to center field from Emily Munson, but the Raiders once again regained their seven-run lead on a Caetano RBI single to right field in the bottom of the sixth.
Norwich recorded two hits in the top of the seventh inning but were unable to spark a comeback.
Sophomore Hailey Berube went the distance in the circle, allowing just two runs with five strikeouts. Both Hayleigh Silva and Caetano went a perfect four-for-four at the dish with two runs scored each. Caetano also contributed a game-high two runs batted in.
