Pride Drop Sunday Twinbill

WESTON, Mass. — The Pride welcomed the Raiders from Rivier University for a Sunday twinbill, as Rivier claimed an 11-0, five-inning victory in game one before edging out a 14-12 win in a nine-inning thriller in game two.

Game One, Regis 0-11 Rivier

After a scoreless opening inning for both teams, Rivier struck first with an RBI double to plate the game's first run in the top of the second. The Raiders threatened to add more following a Pride miscue, but Lynsey Kay cut the rally short with a throw to the plate to erase the runner and limit the damage.

Gabby Blanchard answered in the bottom half with a single through the left side and moved into scoring position after a walk by Madi Zancan, but a strikeout left both runners stranded.

Rivier broke things open in the next inning, using a two-out rally highlighted by back-to-back RBI singles to left-center as part of a five-run frame to take a 6-0 lead. The Raiders added three more in the following inning to extend their advantage.

In the fourth, Mel Rees looked to spark a two-out rally with a single through the left side, and Blanchard followed with a base hit to right to put Megan Arruda in scoring position, but the Pride could not capitalize.

Rivier tacked on two more runs in the fifth where in the home half, Madigan Lawler led off with a single to left-center, and Sydney Grund followed with a base hit to move pinch runner Avery Simpson into scoring position. However, the Raiders retired the next two batters to secure the 11-0 win in five innings.

Game Two, Regis 12-14 Rivier

Francesca Licata sparked the offense with a bunt single and hustle down the line, then moved into scoring position after a patient walk by Lynsey Kay put two on. Mel Rees followed with a single to load the bases, and Gabby Blanchard worked a disciplined walk to bring Licata home and give the Pride a 1-0 lead after one.

The Raiders answered in the second with a leadoff double and moved the runner to third two batters later before Sophia Quinlin drove her in with a single through the right side. Kate Julian limited the damage with a strikeout to strand the go-ahead run.

Regis regained the lead in the bottom of the second, starting with a Sydney Grund single. She came around to score on a pair of Raider miscues, and Samantha Kelepouris capitalized with a well-placed pop into the outfield for a two-run double to make it 4-1 before the inning ended.

A diving catch from Kay highlighted a clean, three-up, three-down top of the third, halting any Raider momentum, however Rivier responded in the fourth, tying the game at four on a two-run home run to left off the bat of Quinlin.

The Pride answered with a two-out rally in the fifth. Julian singled down the left field line to move Madi Zancan into scoring position, and Michaela Edwards followed with an RBI single. Grund added another base hit to bring in Julian, and Licata delivered a deep drive to plate two more, pushing the lead to 8-4 before being thrown out at second to end the inning.

The Raiders battled back in the sixth, using four hits and disciplined at-bats to score four runs and even the game once again.

Rivier briefly took the lead in the seventh with a two-run homer from Quinlin, but Licata answered in the bottom half with a triple to score Megan Arruda and send the game into extra innings.

In the eighth, Hayley Rapaglia and Kelepouris traded RBI hits to force another frame. The Raiders then took control in the ninth with two hits, including a two-run double, to go ahead 14-11.

The Pride mounted one final push in the bottom half, as Arruda advanced from second to third on a Grund single and scored on an error off the bat of Licata. However, a fly out and a fielder's choice ended the rally, sealing the 14-12 final.

Inside the Numbers

• In game one, Gabby Blanchard went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate to record her first multi-hit game of the season.
• Francesca Licata finished game two 3-for-6 with a career-high four RBIs while crossing the plate twice, and Samantha Kelepouris matched her career best with three RBIs.
• Sydney Grund also went 3-for-6, scoring three runs and adding an RBI.
• In game two, Kate Julian notched her first hit of the year and came around to score her first run.

Up Next

The Pride continue their homestand this Wednesday, April 1, hosting Curry for a non-conference doubleheader with first pitch set for 3 p.m.