WOMEN'S SOFTBALL

Home of the 2008 GNAC Champions

HEAD COACH: Kelly O'Connell
PHONE: (603) 897-8657;koconnell@rivier.edu

April 29, 2009

White and Mansfield Recieve GNAC Honors

Rivier junior Monica White (Augusta, ME) and sophomore Shannon Mansfield (Pelham, NH) were selected to GNAC All-Conference teams be their piers and coaches for their contributions to the women's softball team during the 2009 season.

White was named to the GNAC First Team All-Conference after posting a 10-10 record with a 1.17 ERA.  She threw 15 complete games while recording 180 strikeouts and only giving up 27 walks.  At the plate Monica was equally as impressive as she hit .333 on the season while playing in all 33 games during the season for the Raiders.  White was also 16 for 16 in stolen base attempts on the season.

Shannon Mansfield was named to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team after being voted on by her teammates.  Shannon is a utility player that filled in at a number of different positions during the season.  As well as being the backup catcher, Shannon spent time in the outfield and as a pinch runner.  Mansfield was 2 for 2 in stolen base attempts on the season and scored 6 runs.

April 25, 2009

GATORS ELIMINATE DEFENDING SOFTBALL CHAMPS

NEWTON, MASS. --  Fourth-seeded Pine Manor College eliminated defending champion Rivier College from the 2009 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Softball Tournament with a 5-4 victory.

The game turned late as the Gators took a 3-2 lead into the top of the sixth.  Jackie Mannino (FY, Little Silver, N.J.) singled to left and advanced to third on a single by Michelle Myers (Jr., Freeport, N.Y.).  Following a ground out to third base that held the runners Mannino moved to third and Myers to second on a misplay off Myers single. Michelle Campbell (FY, Baltimore, Md.)then singled driving in Mannino to increase the margin to 4-2.

Rivier answered immediately in the bottom of the inning as Brenna Campbell (Nashua, N.H.) singled to center and with two outs advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Jenna Beadle (Sr., Rumney, N.H.) singled to center and moved to second as the Gators attempted to cut down Campbell at third.  Amanda Ryan (So., West Bridgewater, Mass.) then singled, plating two runs to tie the game.

With one out in the Pine Manor seventh Kayla Ferrera (FY, South Portland, Maine) walked and following an infield pop out, Jackie Martinez (So., Albuquerque, N.M.) singled to left.  Mannino then drilled a ground rule double scoring Ferrara with what proved to be the winning run.

Pine Manor drew first blood in the game getting an unearned run in the top of the third.  The lead was short lived as the Raiders got two in the bottom of the inning, the big blow being a triple by Campbell.

Tara Doehler (FY, Lakeville, Mass.) got the win for Pine Manor (20-18), scattering eight hits striking out four and walking one.  Monica White (Jr., Agusta, Maine) took the Rivier (16-16) loss in relief of Alexa Feener (Jr., Franklin, N.H.).  White gave up six hits in 2.2 innings.

April 24, 2009

Rivier Drops to Losers Bracket of GNAC Tournament

Suffolk edged #7 Rivier College, 1-0, in the first game of the day at Ward Park on the campus of Saint Joseph’s College. After 5 ½ scoreless innings, the Rams notched the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth when Cali Loura ’12 (Farmington, CT) scored on a Marie Trainor ’09 (Winthrop, MA) base hit. The run was of the unearned variety, as a Raiders miscue preceded the play.

Rivier starter Monica White ’10 (Augusta, ME) tossed six innings, allowing just two hits and a walk with eight punch outs in the hard-luck loss. Rams hurler Elizabeth Galvin ’12 (Medway, MA) allowed four hits and one base on balls with four K’s in seven innings in the circle to collect the win.

Rivier will take on Pine Manor College at 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 25 in the elimination bracket of the tournament.  If the Raiders take care of business and secure a win they will then play at 4:00 PM.

April 23, 2009

Rivier Advances in 1st Round of GNAC Tournament

Newton, Mass- Rivier College, at seventh in the GNAC standings, beat the no. 6 Lasell College Lasers 8-1 on Taylor Field Thursday afternoon and moved onto the GNAC tournament quarter finals.

Rivier went ahead in the first after Brenna Campbell (Nashua, NH) got a base hit through the right side then scored as Jess Barth (Uxbridge, Mass.) hit a RBI-double into the center field gap.  Jenna Beadle (Rumney, NH) then sent Barth home with a single up the middle to earn the RBI.  Jess Mellen (Rockland, Mass.) got on with two outs, but Talia DeChairia (Kingston, Mass.) made the defensive play in the field to get the third out at first leaving two on.

Kelly Barden (Quincy, Mass.) got things started with two outs in the first for Lasell.  She smacked a hard hit to a right center field hole, but the Lasers ended the inning without a run.

Barth hit a line drive through the middle to get on base in the third.  Kirsten Mammola (North Reading, Mass.) struck out the second batter to get Lasell’s first out, but Mellen got her bat on an RBI single line drive through to center field to up the score to 3-0.

With bases loaded and one out, Heather Rose (West Roxbury, Mass.) made a smart fielding decision sending the ball to Kelly Silvia (Oaks Bluff, Mass.) behind the plate to get the Rivier runner out at home.  The Lasers third out was a fly out to DeChairia at third.

Rivier had a 1-2-3 half inning to end the bottom of the third.

Monica White (Augusta, ME) doubled through the bags, then advanced on a passed ball to enter scoring position in the following inning.  White scored to get the fourth Raider run.

Barden started off the second half of the fourth with her second hit to center field on the first pitch out.  Jackie Saluti (Braintree, Mass.) and Ashley Laramie (Lynn, Mass.) followed suit with a knock to left center and a grounder past the Rivier shortstop, loading the bases.

DeChairia’s fielders choice was cut off at home as Amanda Ryan (W. Bridgewater, Mass.) sent the first base grounder home to Beadle getting the out.  White struck out her final two batters to end the inning.

Lasell made three quick outs in the fifth, including another strike out by Mammola.  Michelle Torres (Waltham, Mass.) then got a hit in the fifth but the Lasers stayed scoreless.

A two run homer in the sixth by Campbell over the right field fence left Lasell in a 6 run deficit, and Rivier scored twice more in the seventh.

Lasell’s senior center fielder Tiffany Perla (Westminster, Mass.) scored in the bottom of the seventh to give Lasell their first run.  After walking to get on base, Perla was brought in on a sac fly by Torres.  The Raiders sealed the game with their third out and advances on to the quarterfinals after their 8-1 win.

Campbell’s two hit, two run, three RBI game led Rivier to victory. Barth, Beadle, and Mellen each had two hits apiece as well. White struck out seven en route to the victory.

The Raiders are now 17-14, while the Lasers finish their 2009 season at 21-19. Rivier will travel to St. Joseph’s Me. on Friday, April 24th to play Suffolk in the next round of the double-elimination tournament.

April 17, 2009

Raiders get back to business; sweep Rams

Rivier 6      Suffolk 4
Rivier 4      Suffolk 2
 
The Raiders got back to their winning ways as they scored 2 runs in the first inning to get the ball rolling. With 2 outs in the opening frame, freshman Jess Barth doubled. Senior Jenna Beadle plated her with an RBI single. Sophomore Amanda Ryan then laced a shot down the rightfield line that brought Beadle all the way around from first base. Two more runs in both the third and fourth innings helped to keep the Blue and Gray just far enough ahead for the win. Junior Monica White led off the third with a single. After a groundout advanced White to second base, Barth plated her with an RBI single. Another groundout advanced Barth and sophomore Amanda Ryan came through with a clutch 2-out RBI single of her own. Junior Jill Robar and White scored in the very next inning on an RBI single by junior Brenna Campbell and on a passed ball. The Rams put a single run across in the fourth with a 2-out double followed by an RBI single. Suffolk made a game of it in the sixth inning as they pushed 3 more runs across the dish. Two walks, a double, a triple and a Riv error accounted for the scoring. The Raiders were able to settle down and finish the game without any further damage. Junior Alexa Feener got the start and pitched a solid 4 innings giving up 5 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. Junior Monica White picked up the save with 3 innings of relief. She gave up 3 hits while K'ing 5 Ram hitters.
 
Riv jumped all over Suffolk in Game 2 as 3 runs crossed homeplate in the first inning. Junior Monica White set the stage with a leadoff walk. Junior Brenna Campbell stepped to the plate and crushed her 3rd homerun of the week over the centerfield fence. Freshman Jess Barth followed that with a double and was plated on an RBI single by senior Jenna Beadle. Senior Ann Marie Day scored a critical insurance run in the 4th inning as she got on base with a single and then scored on a Ram throwing error. The Raiders allowed single runs in both the second and third innings to keep things close but junior Monica White dashed any hopes of a further comeback by hurling 4.1 innings of shutout ball. Junior Alexa Feener again got the nod and got banged around for 2 earned runs on 4 hits in 2.2 innings. White gave up 3 hits and struck out 5.

April 16, 2009

Raiders split with Gators

Rivier 5    Pine Manor 0
Rivier 1    Pine Manor 11
 
The Raiders set the tone immediately in Game 1 as they pushed 3 runs across homeplate in the first 2 innings of play. Junior Monica White led the game off with a single. Junior Brenna Campbell then launched a bomb over the centerfield fence for her second homerun of the week. Sophomore Nikki Bondanza followed suit as she launched one of her own over the right-centerfield fence to lead off the second inning. Riv added 2 more insurance runs in the third inning. With 2 outs, senior Ann Marie Day was hit by a pitch. The next Riv batter struck out but was safe at first after a dropped third strike. This set the stage for Bondanza and junior Jill Robar who each singled home a run. This was more than enough run support for junior Alexa Feener as she hurled 7 shutout innings. Feener finished with 8 strikeouts while scattering 6 hits.
 
It was the Gators who set the tone in Game 2. Four Pine Manor runs, on 4 hits and a walk, presented the Blue and Gray with too big an obstacle to overcome. Riv was able to re-group and hold the visitors scoreless over the next 3 innings but the Gators exploded for 7 runs on 10 hits in the final 3 innings. The Raiders lone run was scored by junior Jill Robar after she singled in the 5th inning and was brought home on a 2-out double by junior Brenna Campbell. Junior Monica White gave up season-highs in hits (16) and earned runs (8) in the loss.

April 13, 2009

Raiders clean house; sweep Saints

Rivier 3      Emmanuel 1
Rivier 8      Emmanuel 0 (5 innings)

Game 1
Riv banged out 8 hits in Game 1 and scored just enough runs to take the win. The Raiders got on the scoreboard in the second inning after junior Jess Mellen doubled with 2 outs to get the rally going. An Emmanuel error put runners on 2nd and 3rd which set up a 2-run double by sophomore Nikki Bondanza. Riv tacked on an insureance run in the 3rd inning. Junior Brenna Campbell got on base with a single followed by another single from freshman Jess Barth. Senior Jenna Beadle brought home run #3 with an RBI single up the middle. The Raiders allowed an unearned run in the 6th to keep things close but junior Monica White K'd the side in the 7th to dash any hopes of an Emmanuel comeback. Junior Alexa Feener picked up the win as she tossed a 1-hit gem through 5 innings. She gave up 3 walks but struck out 6. White picked up the save as she pitched 2 innings of relief while yielding only 1 hit while striking out 5 Saint batters.
 
Game 2
The Raiders set the tone in the very first inning of Game 2 as junior Brenna Cambpell singled, stole second base and scored on 2 consecutive passed balls. The Riv bats cooled off a bit in the cold temperature until the 4th inning when sophomore Amanda Ryan got things going with a base on balls. Sophomore Nikki Bondanza followed with a single of her own. After a passed ball advanced runners to second and third, a passed ball on a strikeout kept the inning alive while scoring Ryan. With 2 runners on and just a game removed from blasting her first career grand slam, junior Brenna Campbell stepped to the plate. Campbell took a 1-2 count and nearly took the limb off a tree in dead centerfield for a 3-run homerun. The Raiders were able to invoke the mercy rule after 3 more runs crossed home plate in the 5th inning. Four walks and another RBI single by Bondanza accounted for the scoring. Junior Monica White got the nod and pitched 5 innings of 1-hit ball while striking out 6.

April 10, 2009

Raiders sweep top team in the conference

Rivier 8      Lasell 2
Rivier 5      Lasell 0
 
Game 1
Riv used the long-ball in Game 1 to put some runs on the scoreboard and cruise to an 8-2 victory. Sophomore Amanda Ryan got things going with her first collegiate 4-bagger over the centerfield fence to put the home team up 1-0 in the second inning. Junior Monica White plated run #2 on an RBI single that scored junior Jess Mellen who got on base with a single of her own. The Raiders exploded for 5 runs in the 4th inning to put the game out of reach. Mellen led off the inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by sophomore Nikki Bondanza. After 2 more consecutive singles by juniors Jillian Robar and White loaded the bases, junior Brenna Campbell brought everyone home with her first career grand slam. Riv put the finishing touches on Game 1 when Mellen led off the 5th inning with another double. A single by senior Ann Marie Day and a Lasell error plated Mellen. Junior Alexa Feener got the start and gave up 4 hits and 3 walks in just 4 innings of work. Monica White came on in relief and allowed just 1 hit to go with 6 strikeouts in 3 innings pitched.
 
Game 2
The Raiders scored in 5 of the 6 innings played on offense in Game 2. Junior Monica White got on base to start things off for Riv after she was hit by a pitch. After a walk and a wild pitch advanced her to third base, senior Jenna Beadle got her home on an RBI groundout. Junior Jess Mellen led off the 2nd inning with a walk and, after moving over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by senior Ann Marie Day, scored on an RBI single by sophomore Nikki Bondanza. The final 2 Raider runs were scored on wild pitches from the Lasell pitcher. Junior Monica White went the full 7 innings and dominated from start to finish. She finished the nightcap with 12 K's while scattering 5 hits.

March 28, 2009

Raiders get tamed by Lions

Rivier 0   Emerson 4
Rivier 0   Emerson 9
 
Riv could not have picked a worse time to play their sloppiest 2 games of the season. Mental mistakes on top of physical errors proved too much for the Raiders to overcome against the best team in the conference. The Lions pounced early as they scored a single run in the 1st inning off an error, a hit, a walk and a hit batter. Three more errors as well as failed base coverage in the 3rd inning led to 2 more Emerson runs. Senior Ann Marie Day as well as juniors Monica White, Jillian Robar and Brenna Campbell were the only Riv players to get hits. On the mound, White yielded 9 hits while striking out a season-low 4 batters. Senior Jenna Beadle continues to prove why she is one of the best catchers in the GNAC as she threw out yet another baserunner. On the season, Beadle has thrown out 6 of the 10 runners attempting to swipe a freebie. Both the amount of runners caught stealing and the limited amount trying to steal are conference-bests for this senior.
 
The Raiders played well in the first couple of innings in Game 2 but again lost their focus and had untimely errors and mental mistakes. The 3rd inning is when things began to unravel for Riv. Three hits, a walk and 2 Riv errors allowed 3 Lion runs to cross homeplate. Emerson kept their foot on the gas pedal as they tagged the Raiders for 3 more runs on 5 hits (including a 2-out; 3-run blast to left-centerfield) in the 4th. They mercied Riv with a 3-run; 3-hit 5th inning. Offensively, the Raiders went down in order in 4 of the 5 innings played with the only hits coming off the bats of Ann Marie Day and Jillian Robar. Junior Alexa Feener got banged around for 6 runs and 8 hits in 4 innings pitched.

March 27, 2009

Raiders split 2 1-run games

Rivier 3    Mount Ida 2
Rivier 1    Mount Ida 2
 
Riv swung the bat well in Game 1 while totaling 9 base hits. The Raiders left 5 runners in scoring position as they struggled getting the clutch hit after getting on base. Riv plated a run in the opening frame as junior Monica White did her job and led off with a hit. A throwing error by the Mustangs put the visitors up 1-0. The Blue and Gray pushed 2 more across in the 5th inning. Sophomore Kelsy LaRose led things off with a double and was brought home on an RBI single by White. Junior Brenna Campbell stepped up and, after a single by junior Jess Mellen put runners in scoring position, delivered a 2-out RBI single up the middle. The Mustangs would not go down without a fight as they answered Riv's 2 runs with 2 unearned runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Monica White then closed the door as she sent Mt. Ida down in order over the final 2 innings. White did it all for the Raiders as she tallied 4 of the team's 9 hits and, in the circle, hurled a 3-hit; 7 strikeout gem.
 
Game 2 was another defensive battle. This time around, Mt. Ida drew first blood as they cranked a lead-off homerun in the bottom of the 2nd inning. They scored what turned out to be the game-winning run off a bases-loaded error in the 4th. Riv's offense sputtered as it could only muster single hits through the first 6 innings. The Raiders battled back in the 7th on 3 singles. The game-tying run was thrown out at the plate to end the game. Junior Jess Mellen had the only multiple-hit game for Riv as she finished with 2 hard-hit singles. Junior Alexa Feener was the tough-luck loser as she gave up only 1 earned run on 4 hits while K'ing 8 Mustangs.

March 25, 2009

Feener named Regional Pitcher of the Week 

Junior Alexa Feener (Franklin, NH) has been named by Division III Softball - The Newsletter as the New England Regional Pitcher of the Week. This is the second consecutive week a Raider softball player has earned regional honors. Feener picked up 2 conference wins this past weekend while tossing back to back shutouts. In the first game, Alexa struck out 8 and allowed just 2 hits in a mercy-shortened 5 inning game. In her second win, Feener hurled a 1-hit, 7-strikeout gem versus Norwich University to help salvage a split on the day. On the season, Alexa leads the Raider staff with a 0.51 ERA while holding opponents to a miniscule .144 batting average. In 27 innings pitched, Feener has 39 strikeouts.

March 22, 2009

Raiders split with Cadets

Rivier 2     Norwich 4
Rivier 7     Norwich 0
 
The Raiders were a little sluggish out of the gate in Game 1 and allowed a single run in the top of the 3rd inning on 3 hits and a base on balls. Riv responded in the bottom half of the frame with a 2-out, RBI triple by junior Brenna Campbell. The Cadets plated 1 more run in the 5th and then put the game out of reach with 2 more in the 7th. Sophomore Kelsy LaRose led the charge with a 2-hit performance. Junior Monica White got the start and got tagged for 4 earned runs on 11 hits.
 
Riv came out much more determined in Game 2 as they set the tone offensively with 12 hits. Also setting the tone for the Raiders was junior Alexa Feener. The hurler sent the Cadets down in order in 5 of the 7 innings pitched. She finished with a 1-hit, 7 strikeout gem and her second consecutive shutout. Offensively, Riv was led by a numbers of players. Junior Jess Mellen finished the game 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Senior Ann Marie Day (2 for 2; 2 RBI), junor Jillian Robar (2 for 3; 1 run scored) and freshman Jess Barth (2 for 3 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored) all had solid performances at the plate to help the Raiders salvage a split.

March 21, 2009

Raiders sweep conference opener

Rivier 10    Albertus Magnus 2 (5 innings)
Rivier 13    Albertus Magnus 0 (5 innings)
 
The Raiders set the tone in Game 1 immediately when junior Monica White led the game off with a triple and scored on an RBI groundout by junior Jess Mellen. Riv scored in every inning to put the pressure on the Falcon defense. The Raider offense was highlighted by 2 homeruns from White and sophomore Kelsy LaRose. Senior Jenna Beadle and Jess Mellen hit the ball well as they each finished 2 for 4 with a run batted in.
Monica White picked up her 3rd win of the season as she allowed just 1 earned run on 4 hits to go with 13 strikeouts in just 5 innings of work.
 
Game 2 was a carbon copy of Game 1 as the Raiders pounced early with 6 runs in the opening frame. Riv again scored in each of the 5 innings and tallied season-highs in both hits (16) and runs (13). The Raider defense was on point as well as they committed 0 errors. Junior Jess Mellen and freshman Jess Barth collected 3 hits apiece. Riv also received 2 hits each from freshman Karen Waterman (2 for 3; 2 RBI), junior Jillian Robar (2 for 3; RBI) and senior Jenna Beadle (2 for 4; RBI).   Junior Alexa Feener got the start and pitched a solid game from start to finish. She tossed a 2-hit shutout while striking out 8 Falcons to pick up her 2nd win.

March 18, 2009

Rivier's Monica White Earns Regional Player of the Week

Junior Monica White (Augusta, ME) has been named by Division III Softball - The Newsletter as the New England Regioanlal Player of the Week. White finished Spring Training with a 2-1 record. In her first game of the season, Monica recorded 14 strikeouts while allowing just 1 earned run. In White's second start, she hurled a 4-hit shutout while K'ing 7. In her 3rd and final start in Florida, Monica again struck out 14 to pick up win #2. On the week, she had a 0.54 ERA to with 39 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. On offense, Monica was second on the team with a .389 batting average and first with a .611 slugging percentage.  Click here to read the entire Division III Softball - The Newsletter.

March 16, 2009

White named GNAC Pitcher of the Week

Junior Monica White (Augusta, ME) has just been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher of the Week. White finished Spring Training with a 2-1 record. In her first game of the season, Monica recorded 14 strikeouts while allowing just 1 earned run. In White's second start, she hurled a 4-hit shutout while K'ing 7. In her 3rd and final start in Florida, Monica again struck out 14 to pick up win #2. On the week, she had a 0.54 ERA to with 39 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. On offense, Monica was second on the team with a .389 batting average and first with a .611 slugging percentage.

March 10, 2009

Raiders rally in the 7th to win Game 1; cruise in Game 2 to pick up sweep

Rivier 4     Penn State Hazelton 3 (8 innings)
Rivier 8     Penn State Hazelton 2
 
Orlando, FL - Riv took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 4th inning only to allow the Lions to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. The Raiders gave up single runs in both the 5th and 6th before some late-inning heroics sent the game to extra innings. Trailing 3-1 in the 7th, freshman Jess Barth got the rally started with a single. After a Penn State error put runners on first and second, the home team was able to re-group and get the next 2 outs on a strikeout and groundout. Juniors Monica White and Jess Mellen followed with clutch 2-out RBI singles to tie the game at 3. Senior Jenna Beadle plated the game-winning run in the 8th with an RBI double down the left field line. Monica White went the full 8 innings in picking up her 2nd win of the season. She got banged around for 10 hits but hung tough and was able to strike out 14 Lion batters.
 
Game 2 saw Penn State draw first bloood as they plated a run with 2 outs in the opening frame. Riv wasted little time responding as Monica White scorched a triple to right field and then scored on a wild pitch. The Raiders put the game out of reach as they erupted for 7 runs on 5 hits (including a 2-run bomb over the fence from sophomore Kelsy LaRose) in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Junior Alexa Feener picked up her 1st win of the season as she went 5.1 innings while scattering 5 hits and striking out 10. Monica White came on in relief and gave up 0 hits and 0 runs in 1.2 innings of work.

March 9, 2009

Raiders split in Day 2

Rivier 3    Mount Saint Mary 0
Rivier 2    Mount Saint Mary 3
 
Orlando, FL - The Raiders were on point on both sides of the ball in Game 1. Riv collected 10 hits on offense and played errorless ball on defense. Three players had multiple hits for the Blue and Gray led by senior Jenna Beadle (3 for 3). Juniors Jess Mellen (2 for 2; RBI) and Brenna Campbell (2 for 3) also swung the hot bat. Junior Monica White picked up her first win and shutout of the season as she scattered 4 hits and struck out 7.
 
Riv struggled out of the gate in Game 2 as MSM cranked a triple and a double in the bottom of the first to plate the first run of the game. Riv then committed a crucial 1-out error in the second inning that scored 2 more runs for the visitors. The bats cooled off a bit for the Raiders as they collected just 6 hits. Juniors Monica White and Jillian Robar helped spark a rally in the fifth inning as they each collected RBI singles to cut the lead to 1 run. That rally ended on a groundout and the Raiders were not able to put together a come-from-behind rally in the final 2 frames. Junior Alexa Feener got the start and got banged around for 4 hits and 3 runs in 3 innings pitched. Juniors Brenna Campbell and Monica White both came on in relief and combined for 0 hits, 0 runs and 4 strikeouts in 3 innings pitched to help keep the Raiders within striking distance.

March 8, 2009

Raiders stumble out of the gate in Game 1; lose heartbreaker in Game 2

Rivier 0          Bridgewater State 6
Rivier 1          Bridgewater State 2 (8 innings)
 
Orlando, FL - In Riv's first game of Spring Training, the rust showed as they had more errors (6) than hits (2). Juniors Monica White and Jillian Robar had a double and single respectively to account for the only hits of the game for the Raiders. White was the hard-luck loser as 5 of the 6 runs were unearned. White had a game-high 14 strikeouts in the loss.
 
Game 2 was a different story as the Raiders were much more focused on the defensive side of the ball. Riv made defensive play after defensive play to help keep the game scoreless through 7 innings. Sophomore Kelsy LaRose was placed at second base in the extra frame and, after a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by junior Monica White, scored on an illegal pitch. The Raiders then made some clutch defensive plays in the bottom of the inning as they got the lead runner out in the Bear's first 2 at-bats. Unfortunately for Riv, the next batter roped a game-winning 2-out, 2-RBI double to the left field fence. White finished the game 2 for 3 while junior Jess Mellen added a double. Senior Jenna Beadle was outstanding behind the dish as she threw out 3 of the 4 runners attempting to steal a base. Junior Alexa Feener pitched 7 innings of 2-hit ball while striking out 6.

February 26, 2009

Rivier Softball Picked #1 in GNAC Preseason Poll

Defending GNAC tournament champion Rivier has been chosen as the softball preseason favorite of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Raiders, who went 16-10 in conference play and 25-14 overall last season to earn the GNAC conference title, received 11 first place votes and a total of 167 points in the GNAC softball preseason poll. Leading the way for the Raiders is preseason All-American second team selection, junior pitcher Monica White. White is a two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher of the Year and was named the 2008 conference tournament MVP. Monica was also named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after leading the Raiders to the college's first-ever National Tournament victory.

Emerson College, who went 18-8 in conference play last season and 23-17 overall, was selected second in the preseason poll with 141 points. The Lions return first-team all-conference selection junior outfielder Bridget Farago and second-team all-conference selection and one of the 2008 GNAC Co-Rookies of the Year Christina Naramore.

Completing the top eight in the preseason poll in projected order of finish in the regular season standings are Simmons (119), Pine Manor (117), Saint Joseph’s (Maine) (113), Suffolk (105), Lasell (102), and Saint Joseph (CT) (99).

Eight of the 13 Great Northeast Athletic Conference teams will advance to the 2009 GNAC Championship Tournament. The 2009 GNAC Conference semifinals and championships will take place at the number one seed April 25-26. The 2009 GNAC Conference Championship Champion will earn the automatic qualifier in the NCAA DIII Tournament.

1.    Rivier (167)
2.    Emerson (141)
3.    Simmons (119)
4.    Pine Manor (117)
5.    Saint Joseph’s (Maine) (113)
6.    Suffolk (105)
7.    Lasell (102)
8.    Saint Joseph (CT) (99)

The Rings Have Arrived!

The 2008 GNAC Champions were able to show off their championship rings at a ceremony held on September 4th. The Raiders got together to celebrate their historic, record-setting 2008 softball season in which they claimed the programs first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The young Raider squad is the only team in Rivier College history to win an NCAA National Tournament game. They finished 2008 with 25 wins - which was the most wins by any Raider team in 2007-2008.

2008 Season in Review

May 21, 2008

Raider Softball Program Keeps Re-Writing the Record Books

 
Over the last 3 seasons, the Raider Softball Program has continued to raise the bar. The 2008 season was no exception. Riv just completed its second consecutive 25-win season. The 25 wins were the college's most wins by any team in 2008. The Raiders finished the 2008 season as the 40th best team in the nation (out of 423 Division III teams). This is the highest finish the softball program has ever had. In 2008, Riv won its first-ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship. The Raiders were awarded with the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. The young Raider squad set and achieved one final goal and that was to become the first team in Rivier College history to win an NCAA National Tournament game. The 2008 Raider Softball Team finished just a few wins shy of advancing to the Softball World Series.
 
The Softball Program continues to attract some of the best high school talent from across New England. Because of this, a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament, and perhaps a trip to the Softball World Series, is well within their reach. "The Raider Softball Program has put itself on the national map" said Head Coach Kelly O'Connell. "It is certainly an exciting time to become a part of this program!!"