Rivier's Olivia Couto (17) had a hit and scored a run in Wednesday's doubleheader in Melbourne, Fla. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Rivier softball team dropped two games on Wednesday afternoon at the Space Coast Complex, falling 6-3 to Wheaton (Ill.) in the opener before dropping a 5-1 decision to St. Catherine in the second game of the day.

With the results, the Raiders moved to 0-6 on the season as their spring training trip in Florida continues.

WHEATON (ILL.) 6, RIVIER 3

Wheaton struck early with two runs in the top of the first inning on a double and RBI single to take a 2-0 lead. The Thunder added another run in the third inning to extend the lead to 3-0 before Rivier responded in the bottom half of the inning.

Senior Kyleigh Guerette reached on a bunt single and later scored on an RBI groundout by junior Hayleigh Silva, while senior Hayley Rapaglia followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home senior Avry Nelson to cut the deficit to 3-2.Wheaton answere d in the fourth inning with a two-run double to regain momentum and push its lead to 5-2.

Rivier plated another run in the bottom of the fourth when senior Olivia Couto came around to score after first-year Emma Politz singled and stole second, trimming the lead to 5-3.

The Thunder added an insurance run in the seventh inning to secure the 6-3 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Silva, senior Kylee Caetano, Couto, Politz, and Guerette each recorded hits for the Raiders.

Silva and Rapaglia drove in Rivier’s runs, while Couto and Guerette each crossed the plate.

Junior Hailey Berube tossed six innings in the circle for Rivier, while Rapaglia struck out three batters in a scoreless inning of relief.

ST. CATHERINE 5, RIVIER 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier struck first in the second inning when senior Olivia Couto singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by first-year Emma Politz to give the Raiders an early 1-0 lead.

St. Catherine responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs to take a 2-1 advantage.

The Wildcats extended their lead in the fourth inning with two more runs, capitalizing on baserunners to push the score to 4-1.

St. Catherine added an insurance run in the sixth inning to secure the 5-1 victory.

Rivier threatened offensively with several baserunners but was unable to push across another run late in the game.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Rapaglia, Caetano, Couto, junior Sophia Quinlan, and junior Liv Harnish each recorded hits for Rivier.

Politz drove in the Raiders’ lone run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Silva made the start in the circle, while Rapaglia worked three innings in relief and struck out two.

UP NEXT

The Raiders continue the Space Coast Spring Games with another pair of contests Friday afternoon as Rivier looks to pick up its first win of the season. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

EMMANUEL 6, RIVIER 5

The Rivier women’s lacrosse team was narrowly defeated, 6-5, by Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Emmanuel (Mass.) Wednesday evening at Joanne Merrill Field.

With the loss, the Raiders fell to 1-3 (1-1 GNAC), while the Saints improved to 3-2 (2-0 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

First-year Olivia Wheeler found the back of the net just 2:20 into the opening frame to get things started. Emmanuel (Mass.) answered almost immediately as Medeline Wright won the draw and found Ella Stein to level the contest at one. First-year Hayleigh Young capitalized on a free position attempt to regain the lead, 2-1. Once again, the Saints tied up the game, this time with Wright finishing on the women-up opportunity.

Emmanuel (Mass.) took its first lead of the match just past the midway point of the second quarter. With one second remaining in the half, juniors Sofia Cebrero and Shaelyn Burke worked together to tie the game, 3-3, heading into halftime.

The Saints began the second half scoring with 9:23 on the clock, converting on a free position shot to regain the lead. Rivier leveled the score 34 seconds later on yet another free-position goal by Young. Burke gave the Raiders their third lead of the game, finishing an unassisted tally.

Emmanuel (Mass.) scored the final two goals of the game over a 7:01 stretch in the fourth quarter, completing the comeback and sealing the 6-5 win.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

First-year goalkeeper Arrianna Imbriano recorded nine saves in between the pipes…Junior Alysha Hok led the team with five ground balls…Sophomore Taylor Rioux recorded a team-high four caused turnovers…Young finished the game with three draw controls.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Saturday for a GNAC matchup with Saint Joseph (Conn.). The opening draw is scheduled for noon at Joanne Merrill Field.