Lyndonville, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon and Rivier University battled into extra innings in both ends of Sunday's non-conference softball doubleheader. The visiting Raiders prevailed, 6-5, in the opener. The Hornets returned the favor with a 4-3 victory in the nightcap. Lyndon is now 6-15 on the season, while Rivier is 13-17.
Game 1 - Rivier 6, NVU-Lyndon 5 - 8 innings
Olivia Couto's RBI single in the top of the first inning gave Rivier the early lead.
The Hornets responded in the bottom of the second inning. After Victoria Valentine (Burke, VT) singled and Riann Fortin (Derby, VT) walked, Seairra Anderson (Somersworth, NH) lined a double to right field, scoring both runners and giving the Hornets the lead, Anderson later scored on Lindsey Gannon's (Beverly, MA) sacrifice bunt, making the score 3-1, Lyndon.
The Hornets added a run in the third inning when Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) doubled and Fortin drove her in.
Rivier cut the Lyndon lead to one run in the top of the fifth inning. Josoie Maggiore led off with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Kyleigh Guerette. Guerette stole second, then scored on Hayley Rapaglia's base hit. Rapaglia later scored on Cuoto's base hit.
Lyndon pushed their lead back to two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Valentine singled, moved to second on Fortin's base hit, and scored on Anderson's single.
Kylee Caetano and Rapaglia led off the top of the seventh inning with back to back hits. Caetano scored on Sarah Frazier's sacrifice fly, then Cuoto drove in Rapaglia with the tying run.
After the Hornets were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh inning, Rivier started the eighth inning with Avry Nelson at second base. Nelson went to third on Courtney Marioles' infield hit, then scored on a passed ball, giving Rivier the lead. The Raiders then retired the Hornets in the bottom of the eighth inning to come away with the win.
Game 2 - NVU-Lyndon 4, Rivier 3
The nightcap followed a similar script. Rivier loaded the bases in the top of the first inning. Kayla Miles then came through with an RBI single to put the Raiders in front.
Porter singled and Valentine reached on an error, leading off the second inning. Audrey Tembreull's (Vergennes, VT) two-out base hit drove in both runners to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead.
The Hornets loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning and added a run when Fortin drew a walk.
Rivier tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Caetano led off with a triple and scored when Rapaglia reached on an error. Rapaglia later scored when Kayla Miles beat out an infield hit.
The game remained tied at 3-3 heading into the eighth inning. After the Hornets kept the Raiders off the board in the top half of the inning, Adriana Lemieux (St. Johnsbury, VT) started on second base in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Porter lifted a base hit to right field, scoring Lemieux for the walk-off win.
Valentine picked up the complete game win.
Sunday's doubleheader, along with the NVU-Lyndon baseball doubleheader against the University of Maine at Farmington, was part of Lyndon's Student Athlete Advisory Committee Save Second Base event. Save Second Base raised over $1,300 for breast cancer awareness, research, and care. The proceeds will go directly to Wellness on Wheels in Burke, VT.
The Hornets are scheduled to return to the diamond next Saturday, when Northern Vermont University-Johnson will come to the Skip Pound Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
