Raiders show opponents what is in store in 2010

Although the fall season is an unofficial season for softballers, this Riv squad approached the 3 weeks with an intensity and focus that belies their age. After several intense practices, the Raiders took to the diamond for a 2-game play day hosted by Elms College. A little shout out to the Green and Gold for a great day of softball on a beautiful field. Score is not typically kept during this kind of scrimmage but the score gave us a way of assessing our progress.

In the first game, we faced a well-coached Elms team who are perrenial powers in their conference (NECC). The Blue and Gray received outstanding pitching from senior Alexa Feener who pitched 4 innings of no-hit ball. Freshman Danielle Magnant came on in relief and continued the shutout allowing just 1 basehit. Offensively, Riv received 3-hit performances by freshmen Katie Bachinski and Taylor Cournoyer and senior Brenna Campbell. Magnant helped her own cause by adding 2 hits.

Game 2 was against former conference foe Western New England College. Defense was the name of the game as a couple of outstanding plays were made at shortstop by Taylor Cournoyer. Defense, combined with the dominance on the mound by senior Monica White, made this an easy win for Riv. White gave up just 2 hits while striking out 11. Offensively, the Raiders were again led by Katie Bachinski. Bachinski tallied 2 hits to go with 2 hits by White (including a 2-RBI double). On the day, Riv tallied 13 runs on 21 hits while committing 0 errors.

Special thanks to the Bachinski family for the delicious home-cooked meal and wonderful story-telling!!

The road to the GNAC Championship will be paved in the off-season.