NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University softball team took full advantage of playing at home for the first time in 2016 on Saturday.

The Cadets' stagnant offense for the first 10 games erupted for 18 runs as NU swept Rivier with a 9-7 win in Game 1 and a 9-4 victory in Game 2 for its first two wins of 2016.

Freshman Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) led the Cadets in Game 1 with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to break a 2-2 tie. She also went the distance on the mound, picking up her first collegiate victory.

Despite getting outhit 12-6, Norwich took advantage of the Rivier pitching staff giving up 12 walks. The Cadets put up crooked numbers in four straight innings from the third inning on en route to their first win of the season.

Senior catcher Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) scored three times, while Payton Warner (Harwich, Mass.), Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.), Sarah Peyton (Eagle River, Alaska) and Mallori Cesario (Bradenton, Fla.) all notched RBI hits to lead the Cadets' offense.

After Oliver put the Cadets up 5-2, Rivier (3-7, 0-2 GNAC) battled back to take a 7-6 lead with three runs in the top of the sixth. Mikayla Ramsdell had the big hit with a two-run single through the left side of the infield that put the Raiders up 7-6.

However, Norwich (2-10, 2-0 GNAC) countered in the bottom half of the inning with Naomi Rinaldo (Middlefield, Conn.) scoring on a RBI groundout by Peyton. The Cadets took the lead for good when Morris scored on a wild pitch during the next at bat. 

In Game 2, Norwich fell behind 4-1 in the top of the fourth after Rivier plated four runs. However, the Cadets answered with a six-run bottom half of the inning to take control of the game for good.

Rivier got a big two-run double from Shaylyn Freitas to highlight its four-run fourth inning.

Norwich responded right back though with Morris bringing home Rinaldo with a RBI hit up the middle. Hershberger then turned a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead with a monster three-run home run to left field for her first round-tripper of the season and the seventh home run of her career.

Freshman Jessica Hindman (Mansfield, Mass.) capped the big inning with a two-run double that scored Cesario and Kassy Kazimierczak (Adams, Mass.) to give Norwich a 7-4 lead.

Norwich capped the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning with sophomore Olivia Bussiere (Northfield, Vt.) roping a line drive into left field that scored two more runs for the Cadets.

Freshman pitcher Rachel Johnson (Stockbridge, Vt.) had her finest performance in a Maroon & Gold uniform in the circle. She fired a complete-game four-hitter, surrendering just one earned run on four walks while striking out a career-high 10 batters.

Norwich will look to keep the momentum rolling on Monday when it hosts Johnson State in a non-conference doubleheader slated for a 3 p.m. start. The Cadets will also host Suffolk on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in GNAC play.