Softball Sweeps Lesley

NASHUA, NH: Rivier softball took down the Lynx of Lesley University in both contests this evening in non-conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 3/30/23

- Score: Rivier 8, Lesley 3. Rivier 19, Lesley 12

- Records: Rivier (2-10), Lesley (1-15)

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game One

-  The Raiders started this one off with a bomb to deep right center field in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff Courtney Marioles (Hudson, NH) took the Lynx pitch deep on the third pitch of the at bat to give Rivier the 1-0 lead.  

- Lesley would respond in the top of the third with a three-run inning. All three would come across on a single hit by Antonia Kieran, who cleared the bases on a double to right center field.  

- Rivier would have their biggest inning with a six-run fifth. Sarah Frazier (Londonderry, NH) would get things going with a double that plated two, tying the game a three-all. Frazier was followed up by Christina Panagiotopoulos (Lowell, MA), who singled to drive in Frazier. Nicole Verrette (Haverhill, MA) plated another on a fielder's choice to put the score at 5-3 in the Raiders favor. The scoring would end after a sac fly, wild pitch, and a ground out RBI in the sixth to get the final of 8-3.

- Emma Hodgkins was tagged with the loss (0-8) after completing the game and allowing 11 hits, eight earned runs, and four strikeouts. Verrette would get the win (1-3) after going five innings allowing just one hit and one strikeout.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Top Performers

-  Kieran was 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBIs

-  Frazier went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, and 2 doubles

-  Marioles went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI on the home run.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Game Two

- There was no shortage of hits or scoring in this one, with both teams racking up 17 hits and a combined 31 runs scored. The difference in game two was the defense for the Lynx. They committed six errors to the Raiders two.

- The Raiders won the game with an eight spot in the sixth inning. The Raiders found themselves down 12-11 in the bottom of the sixth before opening it up with a huge inning. The sixth saw numerous Lynx errors that caused three runs to score. The inning was highlighted by a Panagiotopoulos single up the middle that would plate two.

- Marioles would come in and pitch just 1.2 innings but get the win (1-2) with the big sixth inning. She only allowed two hits while in the circle and struck out two Lesley Players. Hodgkins would come in to pitch the final two innings surrendering the lead to fall to 0-9 on the season after giving up seven hits and seven runs.   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Top Performers

- Hodgkins was, however, 5-for-5 with 5 RBIs after hitting two doubles

- Mahlia Medina was 2-for-5 with 4 RBIs for the Lynx

- Kaeleigh Arington (N. Reading, MA) went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs on a double and sac fly.

UP NEXT:

- Rivier softball will be back Sunday when they travel to Emmanuel College for an 11 am and 1 pm GNAC matchup. Saturday's games vs. Norwich have been moved to Monday, 4/3/23, at 5 pm and 7 pm.

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