NASHUA, N.H. – For the third time in as many chances, the Norwich softball team split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader on Thursday night at Rivier's Raider Field.

The Cadets (3-11, 3-3 GNAC) scored in each of the first four innings in Game 1, including a three-run fourth inning to cruise to a 9-4 win. However, Rivier scored six runs in the first three innings of the nightcap on its way to 10-2 mercy-rule shortened win.

Senior catcher Marley Balasco went 3-for-4 and blasted a pair of 2-run homeruns to lead the Cadets' offense as they pounded out 12 hits.

Balasco launched her first home run in the top of the first inning and then added another in the top of the fourth to give Norwich a 7-3 lead.

Senior OF Seana Ellsworth and freshman SS Abby Belcher collected two hits each. Ellsworth had a single and a triple along with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Belcher had a single and a double with two runs scored as well and a RBI.

Junior P Kelsey Buker picked up the win after working five innings and holding the Raiders to one earned run while surrendering six hits, three walks, and striking out three.

Freshman P Kylie Pratt (S, 2) pitched a perfect final two innings to record her second save of the season.

In Game 2, Rivier jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. NU responded in the top of the second when Kim Comtois and Kaylie Miller produced back-to-back hits. Comtois scored on Pam Dubey's RBI ground out and Miller came around to score on Belcher's RBI triple to tie the game at two.

However, Rivier (10-4, 4-2 GNAC) took the lead back for good in the bottom of the second by tacking on three more runs; highlighted by Nicole Peacock's two-run homer.

The Raiders added a run in the bottom of the third inning and then four more in the sixth to invoke the eight-run mercy rule and help Rivier salvage a split of the doubleheader.

Miller worked an inning and a third to take the loss before being pulled for Pratt who pitched the rest of the way for the Cadets.

Thursday's doubleheader was originally scheduled for Sunday, but was moved up on the schedule to avoid an expected snow storm.

Norwich was originally scheduled to play a doubleheader at Pine Manor today at 4 p.m., but the games were postponed due to weather. No make-up date has been announced.

The Cadets will attempt to return to action on Saturday when they travel to Albertus Magnus for a GNAC doubleheader.