The Raiders celebrate their walk-off win Saturday, the last day of their Myrtle Beach spring trip. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Rivier baseball team split a doubleheader with Western Connecticut to wrap up the 2026 Ripken Experience Saturday morning at Crosley Field. Walking off game one 4-3 in extra innings, before coming up short 9-8 in game two.

With the result, the Raiders moved to 2-6, while the Wolves moved to 4-1.

Game 1: 4 Rivier, Western Conn. St.3 (8 innings)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After four scoreless innings, senior Anthony Morro kept the Wolves in check, striking out five batters.

Western Conn. broke through first in the top of the fourth, but the Raiders answered right back as sophomore Brady Balint ripped a base hit up the middle to bring junior Sebastien Reis home and even the score.

Rivier grabbed the momentum in the fifth as junior Nathan Innerfield launched a solo shot, and Reis followed with a homer of his own to push Rivier in front, 3-1.

Western Conn. battled back to even things up at 3-3 in the sixth, forcing the contest into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Raiders shut the door on the Wolves. Then, in the bottom half, senior Owen Medlock delivered the go-ahead RBI single, scoring Kian Littlefield and sealing the 4-3 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Innerfield went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double, recording one RBI.

Reis went 2-for-3, drawing a walk while adding a home run, one RBI, and two runs scored.

Morrow got the start, tossing 5.0 innings while facing 18 batters and striking out five.

Senior Ty Baker closed the game with 2.0 innings of work, striking out two Wolves.

Game 2:Western Conn. St. 9, Rivier 8 (7 innings)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Medlock sparked the inning after being hit by a pitch, and Innerfield followed with a clutch double to put both Raiders in scoring position. Reis and sophomore David Miller then delivered back-to-back RBI to give Rivier an early 2-0 lead.

The Wolves answered with two runs of their own to level the game 2-2.

Western Conn. found rhythm in the bottom of the second, taking a 6-2 lead.

Junior Liam Stott came through with a two-RBI single, driving in first-year Shay Collins and Miller to cut the lead to 6-4.

The Raiders chipped away at the deficit again at the top of the fifth as Balint drove in Miller

In the sixth, Stott took advantage of a wild pitch to score and knot the game at 6-6.

The Wolves answered with a sixth-inning rally of their own, regaining a three-run lead at 9-6.

The Raiders made one final push to complete the comeback as Shay Collins crossed the plate on Wolves’ errors. First-year Ian McDonald then singled to bring Littlefield home, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Wolves held on for a 9-8 final.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Collins went 2-of-3, recording two runs…Innerfield went 2-of-2 with a score…Stott went 2-of-3 with a run and two RBI.

UP NEXT

The Raiders are back in New England at Suffolk for a non-conference match-up on Tuesday, March 17, at 3:30 p.m. at East Boston Memorial Park.

RAIDER SOFTBALL SPLITS

The Rivier softball team split a pair of games at the Fast Pitch Stadium in Melbourne, Fla, defeating Nebraska Wesleyan 5-3 in the opener before falling 8-0 to Central (Iowa) in the second game of the day.

With the split, the Raiders move to 1-9 on the season as their spring training trip comes to a close.

Rivier 5, Nebraska Wesleyan 3

After three scoreless innings, Rivier broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning when sophomore Natalie Benac delivered a clutch two-run triple that brought home junior Liv arnish and senior Avry Nelson to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Nebraska Wesleyan responded with three runs in the fifth inning to briefly take the lead, but the Raiders answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning.

Junior Hayleigh Silva worked a walk before senior Kylee Caetano singled to put two runners on base for Rivier. Senior Olivia Couto then delivered a huge moment for the Raiders, blasting a two-run triple to right field that put Rivier back in front.

Nelson followed with an RBI double to extend the Raider lead to 5-3.

Rivier’s pitching staff closed out the game over the final two innings to secure the Raiders’ first win of the 2026 campaign.

Couto led the offense with two hits and two RBI, including a triple.

Nelson added two hits and an RBI, while Harnish also finished with two hits.

Junior Hailey Berube earned the win in the circle after tossing 5.2 strong innings for the Raiders.

Senior Hayley Rapaglia came on in relief to close out the final innings and earn the save.

Central (Iowa) 8, Rivier 0 (5 inn.)

Rivier tried to carry momentum into the second game of the day, putting two runners on base in the opening inning after first-year Emma Politz singled and Couto reached base. Despite the early opportunity, the Raiders were unable to push a run across.

Central (Iowa) then built an early lead, but Rivier continued battling throughout the game. The Raiders recorded two hits in the contest, including singles from Politz and Rapaglia.Rivier’s pitching staff featured Rapaglia making the start before Berube entered in relief to finish the game.

Politz and Rapaglia each recorded hits for the Raiders.

The Raiders head home to New Hampshire, getting ready for conference play against Regis (Mass.), Saturday, March 21 at Regis College. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 11 a.m.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

SAINT JOSEPH (CONN.) 13, RIVIER 11

With the conference loss at Joanne Merrill Field, the Raiders dropped to 1-4 (1-2 GNAC), while the Blue Jays improved to 2-3 (1-0 GNAC).

USJ jumped out to a 2-0 lead before first-year Olivia Wheeler converted a free position shot at the 7:18. The Blue Jays recorded two free position goals at 5:08 and 1:45 to take a three-goal lead after the first quarter.

Wheeler opened the second quarter scoring her second goal of the game on a feed from first-year Averie Proulx. USJ regained a three-goal advantage before first-year Kaycie Hudon scored a women-up goal to get back within two. Each squad scored two more goals each down the stretch, with Hudon finding the back of the net at 4:18 and first-year Chloe Waldron recording a score at 2:17 to bring Rivier within two heading into halftime.

The Blue Jays added two quick goals to start the third quarter with Hudon completing her hattrick in between at 12:06. Waldron found twine with 5:07 remaining in the third frame to make it 9-7. USJ scored two consecutive goal to close out the third quarter and take its largest lead of the contest, 11-7.

The Raiders flipped the script in the fourth quarter scoring back-to-back goals to open the fourth quarter. Sophomore Ashlynn Ledoux found junior Sofia Cebrero who rifled home a back handed shot, making it 11-8. Wheeler secured her hattrick just 35 second later to cut the deficit to two once again. The Blue Jays took back their three-score lead, but Hudon and Wheeler found the back of the net, making it a one goal game. With 6:02 remaining in the game, USJ sealed the contest with its 13th tally.

First-year Arrianna Imbriano recorded 15 saves in the contest; Cebrero registered a team-high five ground balls. First-year Hayleigh Young and junior Shaelyn Burke each recorded five draw controls.

Young added a team-best two caused turnovers along with senior Bailey Carroll.

The Raiders return to action Wednesday for a non-conference matchup with Fitchburg St. The opening draw is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Joanne Merrill Field.