Infielder Colton Colleran and the Raiders were able to come out on top on Wednesday. (Courtesy photo by Collin Traverse/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier baseball team defeated Suffolk in non-conference action, 5-7, on Wednesday Afternoon at Harvey Woods.

With the result, the Raiders improved to 11-19, while the Rams dropped to 6-23.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Raiders struck first when sophomore David Miller hit a sacrifice fly, allowing junior Colton Colleranto score and take a 1-0 lead after one inning.

Rivier extended its lead to 4-0 in the second inning. Colleran grounded out to bring first-year Shay Collins home, followed by a two-RBI double from junior Liam Stott that scored first-year Kian Littlefield and senior Owen Medlock.

The Rams chipped away at the deficit and eventually tied the game in the seventh inning.

Rivier responded in the bottom of the seventh. A wild pitch allowed senior Nathan Innerfield to score and reclaim a 5-4 lead, and junior Alex Gallicano later reached on an error, bringing classmate Sebastian Reis home.

In a final push in the ninth, the Rams added one run, but senior Ty Baker secured the win with a game-ending strikeout.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Colleran went 1-of-3, scoring two runs and one RBI, while drawing a walk.

Reis and Collins each tallied an RBI…Medlock and Gallicano each recorded a stolen base…The Raiders saw seven pitchers on the mound to combine for eight strikeouts, with junior Sean Kuhlhoff earning the win.

UP NEXT

The Raiders are back in action for a non-conference contest against Wentworth at Harvey Woods with first pitch set for 3:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

RAIDERS SWEPT BY KEENE STATE

The Rivier softball team dropped a non-conference doubleheader against Keene State at Raider Diamond, falling 7-6 in extra innings in the opener before suffering a 6-2 setback in game two.

With the losses, the Raiders fell to 13-19 on the season, while the Owls improved to 16-13.

Keene St. 7, Rivier 6 (8 inn.)

Rivier broke through in the third inning, scoring four runs highlighted by a grand slam from senior Hayley Rapaglia to take an early 4-0 lead. Keene State responded with three runs in the sixth, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

The Owls took the lead in the seventh, plating three runs to go ahead 6-4.

Rivier answered in the bottom half of the inning as junior Sophia Quinlan delivered an RBI double and junior Liv Harnish followed with an RBI single to even the score at 6-6.

In the eighth, Keene State pushed across the go-ahead run on an RBI single.

The Raiders threatened in the bottom of the eighth but were unable to bring home the tying run.

Rapaglia led the Rivier offense with a grand slam and four RBI…Senior Kylee Caetano paced the Raiders with three hits…Senior Avry Nelson added two hits in the effort…Rivier totaled 10 hits in the game.

Keene St. 6, Rivier 2

Keene State capitalized on an early Rivier error to score two runs in the first inning.The Owls added another run in the third to extend their lead to 3-0. Rivier got on the board in the third as senior Olivia Couto launched a solo home run to make it 3-1.

The Raiders cut the deficit to one in the sixth when Rapaglia delivered an RBI double. Keene State responded with three runs in the seventh to secure the 6-2 victory.

Couto recorded a home run and scored both Rivier runs…Rapaglia tallied two hits and an RBI…The Raiders finished with eight hits in game two.

The Raiders return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Friday as they head to Standish, Me. to take on the Monks of Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. First pitch of the doubleheader slated for 3 p.m.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE 12, RIVIER 11

Rivier first-year Kaycie Hudon scored back-to-back woman-up goals to tie the game at 11-11 with just over a minute remaining, but the Pilgrims answered with a late free-position goal in the final seconds to secure the win at Joanne Merrill Field.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 8-9 (6-7 GNAC), while the Pilgrims improved to 11-6 (7-6 GNAC).

Rivier opened the scoring with a free-position goal from first-year Olivia Wheeler and added a woman-up goal from sophomore Brooke Carter to take a 2-0 lead. New England Col. answered late in the quarter, scoring three straight goals over the final minutes to take a 3-2 lead heading into the second.

The Pilgrims extended its lead to 6-2 early in the second with three unanswered goals. The Raiders responded with a strong stretch, getting woman-up goals from sophomore Ashlynn Ledoux and Wheeler before Ledoux scored again off a Wheeler assist to cut it to 6-5 at halftime.

New England College struck first in the third with a man-up goal, but Rivier answered with a woman-down goal from first-year Chloe Waldron to stay within reach. The teams traded goals the rest of the quarter, with the Pilgrims maintaining a three-goal edge heading into the fourth.

NEC pushed the lead to 11-6 early in the fourth before Rivier made a late run. Sophomore Brooke Carter started the push with a free-position goal, followed by tallies from Wheeler and first-year Hayleigh Young to cut into the deficit.

Wheeler paced the Raider offense with five points…Young led the team with 10 draw controls and five ground balls…First-year Arrianna Imbriano made two saves, surpassing the 100 save mark on the season.

The Raiders travel to Standish, Me. to face off against Saint Joseph’s (Me.) in the GNAC Quarterfinals. The opening draw is set for 11:30 a.m. at the SJC Athletic Complex.