NASHUA, NH – Saint Joseph's (24-4, 17-1 GNAC) swept a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader versus Rivier College (20-10, 12-8 GNAC) with 5-2 and 11-0 triumphs on Friday afternoon.
GAME ONE
The Monks produced three runs off four hits in the top of the first and added single runs in the fifth and seventh frames en route to tipping the Raiders in the opening contest. Rivier tallied two scores off three hits in the sixth but the hosts' offense otherwise stalled, posting just five hits in the first game.
As it played out, the Monks recorded all the offense they needed in the first frame – three runs, all with two out. Senior center fielder Emily Leverone (Hampton, N.H.) singled to right field and junior first baseman Heather Tripp (Lovell, Maine) walked and, after moving up a base via wild pitch, both scored when sophomore shortstop Lindsay Moore (Barrington, N.H.) doubled to center. Sophomore left fielder Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine/Cheverus) followed with a two-bagger of her own, plating Moore and lifting her team to an early 3-0 advantage.
With SJC senior starting pitcher Maddie Kluna (Standish, Maine) dealing, St. Joe's squandered bases-loaded opportunities in the third and fourth innings as Rivier starter Nadjeska Reynolds (Hamden, Conn.) worked her way out of the jams on both occasions.
St. Joe's added some breathing room in the top of the fifth when freshman third baseman Kim Jordan (Bangor, Maine) tripled to left and scored on a single by junior right fielder Danyelle Shufelt (Sutton, Vt.).
Rivier finally found the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, when Marissa Mercier (N. Smithfield, R.I.) and Amanda Thornton (Hanover, Mass.) registered run-scoring two-base hits. Hendrix launched a leadoff homer in the top of the seventh to account for the 5-2 final.
Kluna was brilliant in the circle for the Royal Blue, allowing two runs off four hits and a walk while fanning 10 in a complete-game victory. Reynolds suffered the loss after yielding five runs off 15 hits and a pair of walks in seven innings.
For the Monks, Moore went 3-4 with a run, a double and an RBI, Hendrix was 2-4 with a run, two RBI, a double and a homer, and Shufelt, Tripp, Maria Labbe (Lewiston, Maine), and Jordan recorded two hits apiece in the victory.
Peacock was the lone Raiders repeat-hitter and went 2-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases in a losing effort.
GAME TWO
Saint Joseph's quickly erased the Raiders' hopes of a split by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Tripp and Hendrix provided much of the offensive punch, as the former belted a two-run homer and the latter jacked a solo shot – her second tater of the day – to help the Monks secure a 4-0 cushion after three outs.
Leading 7-0 after four frames, St. Joe's managed to score four runs in the top of the fifth to effectively secure a mercy-rule victory in the nightcap. Labbe homered to lead off the inning, sophomore second baseman Connie Grovo (Limington, Maine) plated a pair with a double to left, and Leverone capped the game scoring with a sac fly to center.
Sophomore pitcher Rae-Marie Copan (Newton, Mass.) was masterful in the victory, scattering just three hits with one strikeout to improve to 7-1 on the season. Rivier starter Hillary Tarr (North Easton, Mass.) took the loss after yielding five runs (four earned) off seven hits and a walk in three innings and Lauren Beatty (Sherman, Conn.) gave up six runs off seven hits and a free pass in two frames of relief.
For the Monks, Shufelt went 3-4 with two runs scored while Grovo, Leverone and Tripp tallied two hits and two RBI apiece in the closing contest. Hendrix was 2-3 with a home run, her fourth tater of the season.
Mercier was 2-2 in a losing bid for the Raiders.
With the sweep, Saint Joseph's improves to 10-3 in the history of the series with Rivier College. The Monks have now defeated the Raiders in six consecutive meetings.
