NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Albertus Magnus College softball team recorded another stellar day at the Shea Softball Field as the Falcons recorded back-to-back shutout wins over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) rival Rivier University and extended its program-record win streak to 24 straight on Sunday afternoon.

The Falcons opened game one by defeating the Raiders by a final score of 1-0, then followed up with a 9-0 victory in game two. Albertus outscored the Raiders, 10-0, across both games, and limited the visitors to just three hits on the day. 

Prior to the start of today's doubleheader, the Albertus Magnus softball team honored its five-member senior class - Ivy Geloso (Beacon Falls, Conn.), Kayla Resto (Shelton, Conn.), Madison LaBossiere (Griswold, Conn.), Jess Stettinger (East Haven, Conn.), and Erin Dighello (Wallingford, Conn.) - for their hard work and dedication to the program over their tenure with the Falcons.

THE BASICS
FINAL (G1): Albertus Magnus 1 | Rivier 0
FINAL (G2): Albertus Magnus 9 | Rivier 0 - 5 innings
RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (28-6, 14-0 GNAC) | Rivier (12-20, 5-7 GNAC)
LOCATION: Shea Softball Field

HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 1

It was a defensive duel between Albertus and Rivier through the first four innings of play as both teams were held scoreless heading into the fifth. 

Rivier started off the top half of the fifth inning with back-to-back outs, but Nicole Verrette managed to squeak the ball past the Falcons' left fielder for a chance to score over the next at-bats. However, a ground out to the Falcons' pitcher ended the rally and stranded the runner on first.

Albertus opened the bottom half of the frame on a sour note with an infield pop-up, but Geloso managed to pick up the momentum offensively with a deep triple to right-center. From there, Janelle Franklin (Middletown, Conn.) connected on a 2-0 pitch that sent the ball over the head of the Raiders' centerfielder, allowing Geloso to score for the eventual game-winning run. 

Solid pitching and defensive work from the Falcons kept the Raiders at bay for the remaining two innings to secure the game one shutout. 

TOP PERFORMERS

• WP: Erin Dighello (W, 15-3) - 7.0 Innings | 1 Hits | 0 Runs |  2 Walks | 6 Strikeouts 
• LP: Nicole Verrette (L, 5-10) - 6.0 Innings | 7 Hits | 1 Run | 0 Walks | 0 Strikeouts
• Dighello earned her 15th win in the circle as well as threw her eighth complete game.
• Dighello now has thrown three shutouts this spring for the blue-and-white. 
• Franklin finished game one with a team-high three hits over three at-bats.
• Geloso went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
• Angelina Ramada (North Branford, Conn.) and LaBossiere also posted a hit each for the Falcons. 

HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 2

Bats came alive for the Falcons in the bottom of the first as the hosts scored seven runs off seven hits to take the early lead over the Raiders. Geloso kicked off the inning with a single to left field before finding herself on second following a groundout from Franklin. A forced walk by Peyton Davis (North Haven, Conn.) set up Stettinger with runners on second and first as the catcher singled to left field, driving in Geloso for the first run of the nightcap and advancing Davis. Despite a pitching change from the Raiders, the Falcons managed to load the bases for Resto, who singled to center field and allowed Davis to score before the second out was collected on a force out at home plate. From there, an RBI single from Ramada, an RBI triple from Karissa Kerrs (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.), and an RBI single from Geloso drove in the final five runs of the inning prior to the final out.

After leaving a runner stranded on base in the bottom of the second, Albertus responded offensively in the bottom of third by recording a two-run, two-hit inning that increased the run cushion to nine, 9-0. With one out and runners on first and second, Geloso kept her hitting streak alive as the designated player cleared the bases following an RBI double to left-center. However, Albertus' offensive attack was short-lived leaving two runners stranded on base. 

Over the next two innings of play, Rivier was unable to get a rally going offensively as the Raiders were held hitless and picked up the second game loss in five innings.

TOP PERFORMERS

• WP: Skylar Arent (New Fairfield, Conn.) (W,12-2) - 4.0 Innings | 2 Hits | 0 Runs | 1 Walk | 0 Strikeouts 
• LP: Sydney Greeno (L, 3-9) - 0.1 Innings | 2 Hits | 3 Runs | 1 Walk | 0 Strikeouts
• Ema Signore (Guilford, Conn.) also made an appearance for the Falcons in the circle.
• Arent earned her 12th win of the season.
• Arent picked up her fourth shutout win of the season.
• Geloso finished game two with a team-leading three hits to go along with three RBIs and a run scored.
• Both Stettinger and Ramada tallied two hits and a RBI each.
• Along with Geloso, Kerrs finished with a team-high three RBIs. 

NOTEWORTHY

• Today's doubleheader was the 53rd and 54th meeting between the two programs.
• Albertus is now 31-23 all-time against the Raiders. 
• The Falcons' game one victory was their 11th shutout of the season. 
• The Falcons' game two victory was their 12th shutout of the season. 
• Geloso closed out the doubleheader with a team-high five hits to go along with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
• Over 12.0 innings, Albertus' pitching staff allowed only three walks and struck out six batters.

UP NEXT
The Albertus Magnus College softball team will return to the diamond on Wednesday, April 27th, for a home doubleheader match-up against the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University. Game times are set for 3 PM and 5 PM on the Shea Softball Field in New Haven, Conn.