The Raiders Are On a Mission to Bring Home a Championship in 2010

The Rivier College Softball Team will look to get back to the GNAC Conference Championship in 2010. The Raiders have an experienced and battle-tested group of returning players combined with a very talented group of newcomers. This is the deepest and most talented softball team Rivier College has ever assembled. The young Riv squad will look to its veteran leadership to show them what it takes to perform at a consistently high level.

The Raiders will be led by their 4 seniors. The majority of this group has been with the program for 4 years and knows what it takes to win in conference play. Captain Monica White is a 3-time 1^st Team All-GNAC selection. She will look to continue her dominance on the mound for one last season. When Monica is not on the mound she will play shortstop, first base or in the outfield. Offensively, Monica led the team in 2009 in runs scored with 24 and in stolen bases with a perfect 16 for 16. Captain Brenna Campbell is a 2-time team MVP and will be relied upon to bring a big bat and consistent defense to the Raider lineup. Brenna set several offensive records in 2009, including homeruns with 5, RBI with 27 and slugging percentage of .576. Captain Alexa Feener enjoyed a break-out season in 2009. She set career-highs in innings pitched with 86.2, strikeouts with 112 and ERA at 1.29. She led the pitching staff in opponent's batting average (.201) and in hits allowed (66). Alexa was the Raiders Most Improved Player in 2009 and will look to have another big season for the Blue and Gray. Jess Mellen returns as a starter in the Raider outfield. Jess joined the squad for the first time last season. She immediately proved herself to be one of most naturally gifted outfielders to ever put on a Riv uniform. Jess makes most plays seem effortless and made a number of highlight-reel catches a season ago. Junior captain Amanda Ryan returns again to anchor first base and provide leadership behind the dish. An outstanding defensive player with a cannon for an arm, Amanda will look to also have an impact with her bat. She spent the off-season devoted to getting stronger and back to the form she showed during her freshman campaign. Amanda is 100% recovered from ACL surgery and will now be able to explode her bat through the strike zone and hit for both power and average. Sophomore Karen Waterman saw significant time on the field as freshman. Karen started the first 17 games before surgery cut her season short. Karen is as tough as they come. She started at both the hot corners a season ago and will continue to challenge for time in those two spots. Karen is a reliable fielder with soft hands and a strong, accurate arm.

Nine new faces will look to begin writing their legacies with the Raider Softball Program in 2010. Katie Bachinski (Northfield, MA/Pioneer Valley) highlights an impressive group of first-year players who will have an immediate impact on this program. She will spend most of her time in the outfield and behind the dish. Katie may also see time at the hot corner as her toughness, leadership and strong arm make her an ideal candidate for all three positions. Offensively, Katie has a powerful bat and can hit for both power and average to all fields. She is also lightning-quick on the bases and will cause headaches for opposing teams. Danielle Magnant (Franklin, VT/Missisquoi) will see time on the mound and will be in the outfield when not pitching. Danielle is one of the quickest players on the Raider roster. Her speed, combined with natural instincts on the bases, make her a potent threat on offense. Danielle has shown an amazing ability to run down anything hit to her in the outfield. Balls have a hard time finding the grass out there as Danielle is a combination of super-quick and aggressive. Ashley Metivier (Hudson, NH/Alvirne) is a strong-armed player who will see time on the left side of the infield and in the outfield. She gets a great read on the ball in the outfield and has great reactions and a quick, accurate arm in the infield. Offensively, Ashley is a tough out as she is a disciplined, patient hitter. She has great speed and can beat out almost anything hit to the infield. Michelle Hunt (Burlington, MA/Arlington Catholic) will see time at first base for us this season. She gives us a big target and can dig anything in the dirt. Offensively, Michelle has worked as hard as anyone in the off-season and has developed into a consistent, line drive hitter. Taylor Cournoyer (Mansfield, MA/Coyle-Cassidy) is extremely strong and reliable at the shortstop position. She has tremendous range and is a smart, head's up player. Offensively, Taylor has a great stroke and will be relied upon to produce RBI's. Amanda Thornton (Hanover, MA/Hanover) is another new face ready to have an impact on this program. Mandy is an outfielder who has very good instincts for the position. She gets a great read off the bat and has a solid arm. Offensively, Mandy can make a lot of things happen with the bat in her hands. She is a rare combination of a power-hitting, contact hitter. Marissa Mercier (North Smithfield, RI/North Smithfield) adds a powerful bat to an already potent lineup. Marissa will do some work behind the dish as well as in the designated player position. She is a hard worker who has great instincts for the game. Nadjeska Reynolds (Hamden, CT/Hamden) missed the fall season due to her commitment to field hockey. She has taken full advantage of her time with the softball team thus far and will bring added depth and speed to the outfield. Nadjeska will be a threat for the Raiders on offense as she is a consistent hitter who can get on base. Sarah Howard (West Greenwich, RI) is one of five dual-sport (basketball/softball) athletes on this team. She brings a great work ethic and a willingness to do anything the coaching staff or her teammates ask of her.

The Rivier College Softball Team has become stronger on defense and developed a potent, high-scoring offense. These two much needed improvements are combined with a deep and extremely talented pitching staff. This deadly combination makes this group the team to beat in 2010.