BOSTON - Emmanuel softball returned to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division play on Sunday afternoon and split a pair of games against the Rivier Raiders. The Saints claimed an 8-4 win in Game 1, before falling in extra innings in Game 2, 10-8. With the split, the Saints sit at 9-21 (8-4 GNAC, 4-4 GNAC North), while the Raiders move to 10-14 (7-3 GNAC, 4-2 GNAC North).

GAME ONE: Emmanuel 8 - Rivier 4

The Saints hopped out in front in the early going, scoring five runs across the opening three innings to lead 5-0.

Sunday's opening run came in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by sophomore Sydney Taylor. In the next inning, senior Emely Rodriguez knocked a solo home run to right-center field, while Taylor used another RBI single to help the Saints to a 3-0 lead. Then in the bottom of the third, an RBI double by first-year Rylee Smith, combined with an RBI single by Rodriguez, put the home side ahead 5-0.

Rivier made a run in the top of the fifth, scoring four times in the frame, cutting the deficit to 5-4, but the Saints added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single by sophomore Samantha Serio. Emmanuel added more breathing room in the sixth on a two-run double for first-year Jacqui Martineau, to give the Saints an 8-4 lead.

Rodriguez batted 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Taylor and junior MeKayla Poisson both finished 3-for-4, with Taylor adding a pair of RBI. Poisson made the start in the circle for the Saints, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits, earning the win to move to 2-1. Sophomore Lauren Peers pitched the remaining 2.1 innings, earning her first save of the season in the process.

GAME TWO: Rivier 10 - Emmanuel 8 (Final / 8 Innings)

The home side was off to a strong start in the second game, similar to how they started in Game 1. Through two innings, the Saints held a 6-1 lead, thanks in part to a four-run first inning, followed by a pair of RBI hits for Taylor and sophomore Grace Garon, in the second inning, giving the Saints the early lead.

Rivier responded with two runs in the third and two more in the fifth, cutting the deficit down to one. An RBI double and Saints error contributed to the two runs in the third, while a two-run single in the fifth pulled the Raiders within a run at 6-5. 

The visitors held their first lead of the afternoon in the top of the sixth. After tying the game on an infield single, a two-run, ground-rule double helped Rivier to an 8-6 lead.

But the Saints answered in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of RBI singles by junior Mia Fernandes and Poisson, tying the game at 8-8. After tying Game 2, the Saints had the bases loaded with no outs, but a strikeout, pop out, and fly out, ended the Saints rally with the game still tied.

Heading to extras with the international tiebreaker, the Saints caught a break with Martineau throwing out an attempted steal of third by the Raiders, clearing the bases. Now with two outs, a single to left field set the table for Hayley Rapaglia to hit a two-run home run to straight away center, giving the Raiders a 10-8 lead. The Saints were unable to manufacture anything in the bottom of the inning, as the Raiders took the win in Sunday's second game.

Fernandes and Garon both finished 2-for-4, including a double for Garon and a pair of stolen bases for Fernandes. Eight of the Saints starters in Game 2 recorded a hit, as the Saints combined for 11 bases hits in the second half of the doubleheader.

UP NEXT:

The Saints return to play next weekend, with GNAC North games at Colby-Sawyer on Saturday, April 18, followed by games at home on Sunday, April 19, against Norwich.