WESTON, Mass. – The Rivier softball team swept Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Regis (Mass.) in a Sunday doubleheader at Regis Softball Field, taking game one in dominant fashion, 11-0, before outlasting the Pride in a high-scoring 14-12 victory in game two.
With the sweep, the Raiders improved to 7-9 overall, 4-0 (GNAC), while Regis dropped to 2-14 overall, 0-4 (GNAC).
11 Rivier, 0 Regis (Mass.) (5 inn.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier struck first in the second inning as junior Liv Harnish doubled home senior Avry Nelson to give the Raiders an early 1-0 lead.
- The Raiders broke the game open in the third inning, erupting for five runs on five hits, highlighted by RBI singles from senior Olivia Couto, senior Hayley Rapaglia, Nelson, and a two-run knock from Harnish.
- Junior Sophia Quinlan added an RBI double in the inning as Rivier extended the lead to 6-0.
- Rivier continued to pour it on in the fourth, with Rapaglia delivering a two-run double before Nelson added an RBI single to stretch the advantage to 9-0.
- The Raiders capped the scoring in the fifth inning with two more runs, including RBI hits from junior Hayleigh Silva and Couto.
- Regis was limited offensively throughout, as Rivier held the Pride to just five hits in the shutout victory.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Rapaglia led the way with two hits and three RBI, while Harnish added two hits and three RBI
- Couto finished with two hits and two RBI, and Nelson recorded two hits and drove in a run.
- Silva reached base three times, scoring twice and adding an RBI.
- Junior Hailey Berube tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out three.
14 Rivier, 12 Regis (Mass.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Regis grabbed an early lead, but Rivier answered in the second inning as Quinlan drove in a run to tie the game.
- After falling behind 4-1, the Raiders responded in the fourth inning, capitalizing on an error before Quinlan blasted a two-run homer to take a 4-3 lead.
- Regis surged back ahead with a four-run fifth inning to go up 7-4.
- Rivier answered immediately with a four-run sixth inning, as sophomore Natalie Benac, first-year Emma Politz, Silva, and Rapaglia each recorded RBI to reclaim an 8-7 edge.
- Quinlan continued her huge day in the seventh inning, launching her second home run of the game to extend the lead to 10-8.
- The Pride refused to go away, trimming the deficit multiple times, but the Raiders continued to respond in key moments.
- In the ninth, Politz delivered an RBI single before senior Kylee Caetano came through with a clutch two-run double to push the lead to 14-10.
- Regis added a late run, but the Raiders held on to secure the 14-12 win and complete the sweep.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Quinlan had a monster performance, going 4-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI
- Politz and Caetano each recorded two hits and two RBI.
- Rapaglia and Silva added key RBI as part of a 15-hit offensive effort.
- Berube earned the win in relief, tossing six innings with six strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to Raider Diamond for a non-conference matchup with the Beacons of UMass Boston. First pitch for Tuesday's doubleheader is set for 4:00 p.m.