Good day for Raiders as they take two of three on road

Campbell alum Emma Rousseau knocked in three runs during Rivier softball's doubleheader split at Dean College on Saturday. (photo courtesy of Rivier University)
They were road warriors on Saturday.
Rivier University spring teams took two of three out of state yesterday, with the women’s softball team splitting a doubleheader with Dean College in Franklin, Mass. and the Raider men’s lacrosse team edging Emmanuel College in Boston.
The men’s lacrosse squad rallied in the fourth quarter for an 11-10 win, also holding off a late Emmanuel rally. Softball lost to Dean 5-2 in the opener, but rebounded in a big way with a 12-3 win in the five-inning nightcap.
Here are the details:
RAIDER SOFTBALL
Trailing 3-2 after two innings in the second game, the Raiders broke through with five runs, four unearned, in the third en route to improving to 3-1 on the young season.
Katerina St. Angelo went 3 for 4 in the nightcap with an RBI and a run scored. Katie Welch went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, and Campbell alum Emma Rousseau of Litchfield had two RBIs (three on the day) as well. Alyssa Girardi scored three runs.
Riv hurler Nicole Verrette improved to 2-0 on the season, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out five and walking just one over the five frames.
Kasey Smith and Kayla Miles each had two hits in the opener, but Riv’s eight hits weren’t enough against Dean pitcher Zoe Coleman (two runs, two strikeouts, two walks).
Rousseau had an RBI double in the opener; the Raiders other run was scored on a passed ball. Riv hurler Sydney Greeno (1-1) took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits, walking two and fanning one.
Rivier hosts St. Joeseph’s of Maine in a doubleheader next Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. As is the pandemic-related GNAC rule throughout the spring, no spectators will be allowed.
ECK, FERENCE PACE RAIDERS
Freshman attackman Connor Eck continued his hot scoring with four goals, giving him a whopping 14 on the season for the Raiders, now 2-1 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.
All of Eck’s goals came during the Raiders’ six-goal outburst in the fourth quarter, during which Riv rallied from a 7-5 deficit heading into the period.
Riv led 3-2 at the half.
“I think we did a good job of bouncing back in the fourth quarter following our third quarter struggles,” Raiders coach Jay Delanoy said.
Michael Ference also had four goals for the Raiders, who scored five straight goals down 8-6. The game-tying goal was by Eck with 9:28 left, assisted by Matty Babb, while Coby Mercier put the Raiders ahead for good, 9-8, with 7:20 left. Matty Babb assisted on the score.
Dylan McSparren also scored for the Raiders, who got three assists by Max Kelley and two from Babb. Single assists went to Eck and McSparren.
Riv netminders Ben Fitzpatrck and Sawyer Gagnon split duties in goal, combining for 12 saves. Gagnon was credited with the win.
Ryan Castle (four goals) and Colin Dickinson (three) led Emmanuel (1-3, 1-2 GNAC).
“We lost our composure a bit in the third,” Delanoy said. “It was nice to see it turn around in the fourth.”
After two straight road games, Riv returns home on Wednesday to face St. Joseph’s of Maine at 7 p.m. at Merrill Field.