Softball Slams Rivier in GNAC Tourney Action, 12-2

THE BASICS 

Score: 
Emmanuel 12 – Rivier 2 (5 innings)

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (23-16, 8-2 GNAC)
Rivier University Raiders (18-23, 4-6 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Roberto Clemente Field

Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023

THE LEAD – Following a 53 minute rain delay, Emmanuel College exploded for seven runs in the second inning including a grand slam by senior pitcher Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.) to put away Rivier University, 12-2 in opening round action of the 2023 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) softball tournament on Tuesday evening at Clemente Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With a 4-1 score in favor of the hosts midway through the bottom of the first, the Boston skies opened up halting the GNAC playoff contest between the Raiders and Saints.
• After nearly an hour delay, Rivier returned to the field to strand a pair of EC base runners to keep it a three-run game but it was short-lived as Emmanuel batted around in the second, exploding for seven runs.
• Senior pitcher Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.) delivered the knock-out block with a grand slam to move the needle from 7-1 to 11-1. The blast was her second of the year and eighth career homer.
• Sophomore centerfielder Taylor Chelak (Westborough, Mass.) added a solo homer in the fourth to bump the lead to 12-1.
• Rivier answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single to left from Kayla Miles (Londonderry, N.H.) to account for the 12-2 final.
• In the opening frame, Rivier manufactured the first run of the afternoon as Kylee Caetan (New Bedford, Mass.) led off the game with a single to right, moved into scoring position on a sac bunt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on an RBI single through the right side by Christina Pangioltopolous (Lowell, Mass.) to give the visitors an early 1-0 edge.
• EC answered in similar fashion as junior Olivia Conti (Cranston, R.I.) was hit by a pitch to start the Saints afternoon, moved over to second on a sac bunt by senior Julyanne Pacheco (Somerset, Mass.), and came in to even the game at 1-1 on an RBI single to right by Chelak.
• The Saints took the lead for good later in the inning on an RBI single to center by sophomore catcher Samantha Hayes (Braintree, Mass.) to make it 2-1 before junior first baseman Emma Crisafulli (Loudonville, N.Y.) delivered a looping double to right to drive in a pair to get the score to 4-1 before the game was delayed.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Along with the grand slam and a 2-for-3 day at the plate, Dawe picked up the win in the circle allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three over four innings of work to earn her 13^th win of the season, one behind the GNAC league leader. First year Mackenzie Briggs (West Warwick, R.I.) came in to close the door working a one-two-three fifth inning for her first appearance since April 16.
• Chelak also finished the game going 2-for-3, driving in a pair and scoring three runs.
• Conti and senior third baseman Maegan Amsler (Hanover, Mass.) each had a hit while scoring twice in the win.
• The Saints improve to 4-2 all-time in the GNAC play-in game.
• Graduate student pitcher Sydney Greeno (Shirley, Mass.) suffered the setback for Rivier and closes the season with a 7-11 record.

UP NEXT

• The Saints move on to the double-elimination format of the GNAC tournament and will take on the No. 2 North seed Saint Joseph's College (ME) on Thursday, May 4 at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass. with No. 1 North Simmons University awaiting the winners of that contest.