STANDISH, Maine – The Rivier softball team split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader against Saint Joseph's (Maine) on Friday afternoon at Richard W. Bailey Field, dropping an 11-5 decision in the opener before rallying for an 11-10 victory in game two.
With the split, the Raiders moved to 14-20 overall and (10-6) in GNAC play, while the Monks shifted to 17-19 (10-6 GNAC).
Saint Joseph's (Maine) 11, Rivier 5
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier struck first in the opening inning as senior Avry Nelson scored on an error to give the Raiders an early lead.
- The Raiders added two runs in the second behind an RBI groundout from junior Liv Harnish and an RBI fielder's choice from Nelson to move in front, 3-2.
- Rivier extended the lead to 5-2 in the third as first-year Emma Politz drove in a run with a double before Harnish added an RBI single.
- Saint Joseph's responded with a five-run third inning, using a three-run homer to take control.
- The Monks tacked on one run in the fourth and three more in the sixth to pull away for the 11-5 final.
- Rivier put runners aboard in the late innings but was unable to mount a comeback.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Harnish drove in two runs and recorded a hit
- Politz finished with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.
- Senior Olivia Couto added two hits and scored once.
- Rivier totaled seven hits, including four doubles.
Rivier 11, Saint Joseph's (Maine) 10
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rivier jumped ahead early as Couto delivered a two-run triple in the first inning.
- The Raiders added three runs in the third, highlighted by an RBI double from Couto and a two-run single from Harnish to build a 5-0 lead
- Senior Kylee Caetano added an RBI single in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-1.
- After Saint Joseph's cut into the lead, Rivier exploded for five runs in the sixth, highlighted by RBI hits from Nelson, Couto, and a two-run double from Harnish to make it 11-3.
- The Monks rallied with seven runs over the final two innings, including a five-run seventh, but the Raiders held on for the one-run victory.
- Junior Hayleigh Silva recorded the final outs in relief to secure the split.
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Couto went 3-for-4 with four RBI, including a triple and double.
- Harnish matched Couto with four RBI on three hits.
- Politz scored three runs and collected three hits.
- Caetano added three hits and an RBI as Rivier pounded out 16 hits in the win.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return home for their final regular season tilt on Saturday against the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Raider Diamond. Rivier will honor its five seniors in a Senior Day ceremony prior to the 1:30 p.m. opener.
