Raiders Stop Softball Win Streak During Senior Celebration

PAXTON, MA: On Saturday afternoon, the Anna Maria College Softball team hosted the Rivier University Raiders for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader at the AMCATS Softball Field.

SENIOR DAY:

In between games, the AMCATS recognized their graduating senior class as part of senior day. Kendall McNamee (Somers, CT), Samantha Dahill (Littleton, MA), and Saylor Costa (East Providence, RI) were honored by coaches, teammates, family members, and fans for their time with the softball program. Although their time with the program may be ending, they will forever be a part of the AMCAT family.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023
• Game 1: Rivier 9, Anna Maria 4
• Game 2: Rivier 3, Anna Maria 2
• Records: Rivier Raiders 12-16 (4-4 GNAC) | Anna Maria AMCATS 10-17 (0-4 GNAC)

HIGHLIGHTS

• GAME 1
  • The AMCATS put the first run of the game across the plate in the third inning. Dahill opened the frame with a double to right-center. Costa followed her with a single up the middle putting runners on the corners for graduate student designated player Sabrina Liston (Rehoboth, MA). Liston doubled to left center to score Dahill and put the AMCATS in front 1-0.
  • The Raiders responded with five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from third baseman Hayley Rapaglia.
  • The AMCATS clawed back within one run by putting up a three spot in the bottom of the sixth. Madison-Marie Romano (Lebanon, ME) started the rally with a leadoff walk and junior pitcher Eden Forget (Worcester, MA) singled up the middle. Two batters later McNamee singled down the right-field line to load the bases. Romano then scored on a wild pitch while Forget and McNamee each moved up a base. Freshman left fielder Aine Manning (Carver, MA) walked to reload the bases and sent the Raiders to the bullpen. Freshman Suzette Scheer (Unionville, CT) came on to run for Manning and freshman left fielder Aurora Van Wormer (Swift Current, SK) welcomed the relief pitcher with a sacrifice fly to her counterpart in left field, scoring Forget. Dahill then doubled to the left field wall to score McNamee and cut the Raiders' lead to one. It would be as close as the AMCATS would get because the Raiders tacked on four unearned runs in the top of the seventh.
• GAME 2
  • The Raiders scored first in the second game, making the most of a pair of doubles and a pair of ground outs to score a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.
  • The AMCATS' responded in the bottom of the frame with a series of singles to cut the lead in half. Dahill led off with a single to left center. Two batters later Liston singled up the middle and then Romano singled up the middle to load the bases. Forget them broke the ice for the AMCATS with a single into right field for the one-out RBI.
  • The Raiders regained the lead in the top of the second on a walk, sac bunt, single and sac fly. The Raiders would only record two hits the rest of the way.
  • The AMCATS got back within a single run in the bottom of the fourth. Michelle Cilley (Dracut, MA) started the inning with a double to the top of the left field wall. McNamee followed her with a single to left to set up runners on the corners. On the first pitch to Manning McNamee took off for second base and got into a rundown which allowed Cilley to score from third.

UP NEXT:

Anna Maria will be back in action on Sunday when they will host the Norwich University Cadets for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader at the AMCATS softball field located near the Fuller Activities Center. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.

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