The Suffolk University Softball team took a split to open up the Great Northeast Athletic Tournament on Friday afternoon at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. The Rams were victorious 1-0 in the opener as they defeated Rivier College behind strong pitching from freshman Liz Galvin (Medway, MA). Suffolk dropped game two to host St. Joseph's 3-0.

Galvin and Rivier's Monica White (Augusta, ME) embarked in a great pitcher's duel as both pitchers combined to only allow six hits in the game. The Rams only mustered two hits off of White, while Galvin was just as good only allowing four.

Suffolk scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the sixth as senior Marie Trainor (Winthrop, MA) drove in freshman Cali Loura (Farmington, CT) with a single. Loura singled with one in the sixth and advanced to second as sophomore Monica Cioffi (East Boston, MA) reached on an infield error.

Galvin struck out four in her seven innings of work, only allowing two runners to reach scoring position on the day. The key to Galvin's success was not allowing any of the Raiders' first batters of the inning to reach base.  With the win Galvin now moves to 11-8 on the season.

In the second game, St Joseph's Emily Leverone (Hampton, NH) hit a three run homer in the first inning for the game's only scoring as the Monks took a 3-0 victory to advance in the winner's bracket.

Suffolk had plenty of opportunities as they stranded nine baserunners on the day. Senior Jess Ferreira (Cambridge, MA) and freshman Karina Bolster (Carlisle, PA) each had two hits but sophomore Keira Walsh (Benton, ME) was too tough not allowing any Rams to cross home.

Freshman Carissa Roche (Swampscott, MA) pitched well, despite the loss, pitching six innings allowing six hits with two strikeouts.

The Rams move to the losers bracket tomorrow at Lasell College. Suffolk will take on the eight-seed Simmons College at 10:00 am.