Softball: Lasers improve to 4-2 in GNAC with two-game sweep of Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. - Freshmen Mackenzie Still and Meghan Theall went a combined 10-of-16 batting, with seven RBIs, four runs and three doubles, for the Lasell University softball team during a two-game sweep at Great Northeast Athletic Conference-rival Rivier Sunday.

"We came together as a team today and picked each other up really well," said Still. "We backed up our pitchers, which is what we were focusing on mostly and it paid off. Overall it was a great team win."

The Lasers (10-10, 4-2 GNAC) have emerged victorious in eight of their last 11 games, as they outlasted the Raiders, (6-16, 3-5 GNAC), 6-4 and 9-3. Lasell's defense was superb in the doubleheader, committing only one error.

Theall earned the win in the circle during both games, as she now has four on the season. During the first game, Theall went the distance, giving up four runs, while recordeding a 1-2-3 second inning. During Game 2, Theall recorded the victory with four strong innings of relief pitching, refusing to allow a single run. Her pitch control was phenomenal all day, as she did not walk a single batter in 11 innings of work.

"We had two great games today and the sweep on a GNAC team was the cherry on top," said Lasell University Softball Head Coach Sarah Woodside. "Our student-athletes played nearly perfect defense and did their jobs at the plate. We could not be more proud of our pitching staff, which held the Raiders to minimal runs."

Game 1 (Lasell 6, Rivier 4):

Leading the way for the Lasers were Theall (3 of 4, 3 RBIs, double), Emily Mestas (3 of 4, run), Still (2 for 4, run, double) and Samara Turgeon (2 for 4, run). Playing well for the Raiders were Nicole Capra (3 of 4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, home run), Sarah Frazier (2 for 4, RBI), Courtney Marioles (2 of 3) and Micayla Bourski (2 for 3, 2 runs).

Still opened the scoring in the first for the Lasers, crossing home on a double steal. The visitors added three more runs in the third, as a two-out, two-run double to center by Theall gave the unit a 4-0 cushion. Bourski put the hosts on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring on a wild pitch.

Lasell regained a four-run lead in the fifth. Katie Hopkins led off with a single up the middle, and then scored three at-bats later on an RBI single to left by Theall. A two-run shot by Capra in the bottom of the fifth cut Lasell's advantage to 5-3. 

A sacrifice fly to left by Matara Tamzarian extended Lasell's lead to 6-3 in the top half of the seventh, as Turgeon crossed home. Frazier ended the scoring in the bottom half of the seventh for Rivier, with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Capra from third. Lasell led the hits' category, 13-10, and did not make a single error in the game.

Game 2 (Lasell 9, Rivier 3):

Lasell received standout performances by Still (3 of 5, 4 RBIs, double, run), Theall (2 for 3, 2 runs, walk) and Tamzarian (2 for 3, 2 doubles, 2 runs, RBI). Capra (3 of 3, run, walk), Frazier (2 of 4, run), Marioles (2 for 4, double, RBI) and Bourski (2 of 3) played well for Rivier.

The Raiders built a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first, and then the Lasers responded with nine unanswered runs to close out the game. In the second, Tamzarian and Still recorded an RBI double and single, respectively, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The Lasers took the lead for good with a three-run fourth, as a one-run, two-out triple to right by senior Brianna Gendreau put the visitors in front, 5-3. Lasell established some breathing room with a four-run effort in the seventh, featuring a bases-clearing, three-run double to center by Still.

Up Next:

The Lasers will compete in a non-conference doubleheader against Eastern Nazarene Wednesday. Game times are set for 3 and 5 p.m. on Taylor Field.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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