The Raiders suffered two tough one-run losses at Colby Sawyer on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NEW LONDON – The Rivier baseball team dropped a doubleheader against Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Colby-Sawyer on Sunday afternoon at Kelsey Baseball Field.

With the result, the Raiders moved to 10-13 (5-5 GNAC), while the Chargers moved to 12-17 (6-7 GNAC).

Colby-Sawyer 9, Rivier 8 (8 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After three scoreless innings, the Raiders broke things open with a five-run fourth. It started when senior Dylan Aliberti reached on an error, allowing junior Colton Colleran to score. Junior Liam Stott followed with an RBI groundout to bring in classmate Nathan Innerfield.

Sophomore David Miller added to the surge with an RBI single to right-center, scoring Reis, and junior Alex Gallicano capped the inning with a two-RBI single down the right field line, driving in senior Owen Medlock and Aliberti to give Rivier a 5-0 lead.

The Chargers responded with six in the bottom half of the inning to take a 6-5 lead.

Colleran opened the sixth inning with a double, followed by an RBI triple from Innerfield to quickly even the score at 6-6. Aliberti then reached on an error, allowing Innerfield to come home and give the Raiders a 7-6 lead.

The Raider defense kept momentum on their side with a quick three-up, three-down inning to hold the lead.

Junior Sebastien Reis RBI single to right field to bring home Gallicano to extend the lead 8-6 in the sixth.

The Chargers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth at 8-8, and neither team scored in the seventh to force extra innings.

Colby-Sawyer held Rivier scoreless in the top half and plated the winning run to complete the comeback victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Graduate student Nate Bonacorsi got the start, tossing five innings and striking out four batters…Innerfield went 1-of-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.,,Colleran went 2-of-5 with two runs scored…Aliberti and Gallicano each delivered two RBI and scored a run.

Colby-Sawyer 5, Rivier 4 (7 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Raiders struck early, plating two runs in the first inning. Colleran scored on a wild pitch, and Gallicano’s sacrifice fly brought Stott home.

Colby-Sawyer answered with three runs in the second inning to take the lead.

In the third, Innerfield doubled to left center, driving in Stott to even the score at 3-3.

The Chargers regained a one-run lead in the fifth inning.

Rivier answered again, tying the game at 4-4 as Stott’s RBI single drove in first-year Owen Stewart home in the top of the seventh.

Colby-Sawyer scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 5-4 victory in game two.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Junior Jake O’Connor and first-year EJ Baker each threw for three innings, striking out two batters each…Stott went 2-of-3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored…Innerfield went 2-of-4 with a double and an RBI

UP NEXT

The Raiders are on the road at Norwich for a conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 8. First pitch is at 12:00 p.m., and the second game is set for a 3:30 p.m. start at Garrity Field.

SOFTBALL SPLITS WITH EMMANUEL

The Rivier softball team split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader against Emmanuel on Sunday afternoon at Clemente Field, dropping an 8-4 decision in the opener before earning a 10-8 extra-innings victory in game two.

With the split, the Raiders moved to 10-14 (7-3 GNAC) on the season, while the Saints shifted to 9-21 (8-4 GNAC)

Emmanuel 8, Rivier 4

HOW IT HAPPENED

Emmanuel jumped out to an early lead, scoring in each of the first three innings to take a 5-0 advantage.

The Saints added a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to extend their lead to 8-0.

Rivier responded in the fifth inning, plating four runs highlighted by an RBI single from senior Kylee Caetanoand a two-RBI single from senior Olivia Couto.

The Raiders were unable to complete the comeback as Emmanuel held on for the game one victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Couto led the offense with two hits and two RBI…Caetano added an RBI and scored a run…Rivier recorded five hits in the contest.

Rivier 10, Emmanuel 8 (8 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier opened the scoring in the first inning on a sacrifice fly from Caetano.

Emmanuel answered with six runs across the first two innings to take an early 6-1 lead.

The Raiders chipped away in the third, highlighted by an RBI double from Caetano and a run scoring on an error.

Rivier took the lead in the sixth inning, scoring three runs behind RBI hits from junior Hayleigh Silva and first-year Emma Politz to make it 8-6.

The Saints responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 8-8 and force extras.

In the eighth inning, senior Hayley Rapaglia delivered the game-winning blow with a two-run home run to center field.

Junior Hailey Berube closed out the game in relief to secure the victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Rapaglia led the Raiders with four RBI, including the game-winning home run.

Caetano and Politz each recorded two hits and two RBI.

Rivier totaled 10 hits in the win.

UP NEXT

Rivier returns home for a three game homestand at Raider Diamond. The Raiders are set to play Colby-Sawyer Wednesday afternoon at 3 and 5 p.m. for their Raider Game.