Bucknell University Athletics
Rivait Represents Bucknell Softball on Preseason All-Patriot League Team
2/7/2022 3:30:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell senior Nicole Rivait was one of 12 student-athletes voted to the 2022 Softball Preseason All-Patriot League Team, as announced by the league office on Monday. It's the first time the standout infielder has been named to an All-Patriot League list.
Rivait has started 91 of the 92 games she's appeared in throughout her career, including 21 games last year prior to a season-ending injury.
Rivait was in the midst of career-year in 2021, finishing eighth among Patriot League hitters with a .387 batting average. She also led Bucknell in hits (24), doubles (6) and runs scored (21) despite missing the final nine games. On top of that, Rivait's .677 slugging percentage was second-best among league players.
The Burlington, Ontario native was even stronger in conference play, batting .429 over 14 games and slugging .810. Four of her six doubles and all four of her home runs were hit against league opponents.
Rivait racked up eight multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI outings, including one in a win over Lafayette where she put together a 3-for-5 day at the plate with a double and three RBIs. In that four-game Lafayette series, she totaled eight hits, two homers and 10 RBIs to lead the Bison to a series sweep.
11 of Bucknell's 12 wins in 2021 were with Rivait in the lineup. She also finished the season with a .971 fielding percentage, playing primarily at third base.
Rivait was solid in the 22-game 2020 season as well, batting .310 with a team-leading four homers, three of which came in consecutive games. She also led the Bison in RBIs (12) that season. She started 48 of the teams 52 games as a rookie in 2019, hitting .277 with four doubles, two triples and two home runs.
The Patriot League also announced the 2022 preseason major award winners and the 2022 Patriot League Softball Preseason Poll on Monday. Boston University, the reigning league champion, was picked first in the poll with 10 of 14 first-place votes. The Terriers' junior infielder Caitlin Coker was named Preseason Player of the Year. Lehigh, whose senior infielder Carley Barjaktarovich was voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, was picked second. Lastly, Holy Cross senior Kelly Nelson was named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Bucknell was picked fifth among the seven-team field in the preseason poll, landing one spot behind Colgate and ahead of Holy Cross and Lafayette. The Bison went 12-18-1 during the shortened 2021 campaign, including a 9-14-1 mark in league play.
The Bison are beginning their second season under head coach Sarah Caffrey. The team enters 2022 with a young roster made up of 12 underclassmen, including eight rookies. Bucknell opens the new season on Friday, Feb. 11 in Charlotte, N.C. The season opener will be played against Notre Dame at 10 a.m. on Friday.2022 Patriot League Softball Preseason Player of the Year: Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Jr., INF
2022 Patriot League Softball Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Sr., INF
2022 Patriot League Softball Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Kelly Nelson, Holy Cross, Sr., P
2022 Softball Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Jolie Duong, Army West Point, Sr., P
Angelina Bebek, Army West Point, Jr., INF
Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Jr., INF
Nicole Amodio, Boston University, Sr., INF/C
Jen Horita, Boston University, Gr., OF
Emily Gant, Boston University, Sr., P/UT
Nicole Rivait, Bucknell, Sr., INF
Morgan Farrah, Colgate, Sr., INF/UT
Kelly Nelson, Holy Cross, Sr., P
Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh, Sr., INF
Jaelynn Chessen, Lehigh, Sr., OF
Gabriella Nori, Lehigh, Sr., P
Players are listed alphabetically by institution
2022 Patriot League Softball Preseason Poll
Boston University – 70 (10 first-place votes)
Lehigh – 55 (1)
Army West Point – 53 (3)
Colgate – 50
Bucknell – 29
Holy Cross – 25
Lafayette – 12
