Bucknell University Athletics
Nicole Rivait Selected for Canadian Women's National Softball Team
6/28/2023 11:30:00 AM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Softball Canada announced its selections for the Canadian Women's National Team, and former Bucknell infielder Nicole Rivait made the final roster for the 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage from July 22-26 in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy. Rivait is one of 16 players on the Team Canada roster and one of seven newcomers to this year's squad.
"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to represent my country on the world stage," said Rivait. "I've been training my whole life for this moment, and I'm more than ready for this next adventure. I couldn't have done it without the help of my supporters along the way…especially my Bison family! Ray Bucknell forever!"
"This is just another great accomplishment in Nicole's history of success as a softball player," said Bucknell head coach Sarah Caffrey. "We are so proud of everything she has achieved since graduating from Bucknell. She had a great fifth-year season at Canisius, and it is special to see her live out her dream of representing Canada. She is one of those players that leaves an impact everywhere she goes, so the success doesn't surprise me. I am thrilled that this amazing young woman gets to keep playing the sport that we all love so much. She will represent her country at the highest level, and I know her Bucknell family cannot wait to watch!"
Rivait played four seasons for the Bison from 2019-2022 as one of the team's most potent sluggers. She hit .310 for her career with 117 hits, 23 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, and 65 RBIs. She scored 73 career runs and swiped ten bases. Her 13 career home runs rank ninth all-time in Bucknell history.Â
Despite missing time with injuries, she enjoyed a banner season in 2021, leading the team in hitting (.387), hits (24), doubles (6), and runs scored (21). Her batting average was eighth-best in the Patriot League.Â
As a fitting coda to her career, Rivait was named a Patriot League Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character recipient. She received the honor for her work in founding the Bucknell chapter of Athlete Ally. Athlete Ally is a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ athletic advocacy group that focuses on making athletic communities more inclusive and helps athletes advocate for equality, and the newly formed local chapter has helped create a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel supported and connected.
Rivait is no stranger to representing the Maple Leaf. She played for the Canadian National Elite Team and the Canadian Junior National Team. The Burlington, Ontario native helped the Junior National Team place fourth in the world in 2017.Â
The 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup showcases a new two-stage format. A total of 18 teams have been split into three groups, with the top two teams in each group's final standing advancing to the Finals that will be held in 2024 in Italy. The two remaining spots will be awarded to wild card entries and/or the host.
Canada landed in Group C with No. 2 Japan, No. 8 Italy, No. 22 Venezuela, No. 26 Philippines, and No. 28 New Zealand. Live scoring is presented by the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup website, with live streaming available through GameTime.sport. Canada's first game in the 2023 WBSC Women's World Cup will be July 22, when the team takes on the Philippines.
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"I'm extremely excited for this opportunity to represent my country on the world stage," said Rivait. "I've been training my whole life for this moment, and I'm more than ready for this next adventure. I couldn't have done it without the help of my supporters along the way…especially my Bison family! Ray Bucknell forever!"
"This is just another great accomplishment in Nicole's history of success as a softball player," said Bucknell head coach Sarah Caffrey. "We are so proud of everything she has achieved since graduating from Bucknell. She had a great fifth-year season at Canisius, and it is special to see her live out her dream of representing Canada. She is one of those players that leaves an impact everywhere she goes, so the success doesn't surprise me. I am thrilled that this amazing young woman gets to keep playing the sport that we all love so much. She will represent her country at the highest level, and I know her Bucknell family cannot wait to watch!"
Rivait played four seasons for the Bison from 2019-2022 as one of the team's most potent sluggers. She hit .310 for her career with 117 hits, 23 doubles, three triples, 13 home runs, and 65 RBIs. She scored 73 career runs and swiped ten bases. Her 13 career home runs rank ninth all-time in Bucknell history.Â
Despite missing time with injuries, she enjoyed a banner season in 2021, leading the team in hitting (.387), hits (24), doubles (6), and runs scored (21). Her batting average was eighth-best in the Patriot League.Â
As a fitting coda to her career, Rivait was named a Patriot League Award of Outstanding Leadership and Character recipient. She received the honor for her work in founding the Bucknell chapter of Athlete Ally. Athlete Ally is a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ athletic advocacy group that focuses on making athletic communities more inclusive and helps athletes advocate for equality, and the newly formed local chapter has helped create a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals feel supported and connected.
Rivait is no stranger to representing the Maple Leaf. She played for the Canadian National Elite Team and the Canadian Junior National Team. The Burlington, Ontario native helped the Junior National Team place fourth in the world in 2017.Â
The 2023 WBSC Women's Softball World Cup showcases a new two-stage format. A total of 18 teams have been split into three groups, with the top two teams in each group's final standing advancing to the Finals that will be held in 2024 in Italy. The two remaining spots will be awarded to wild card entries and/or the host.
Canada landed in Group C with No. 2 Japan, No. 8 Italy, No. 22 Venezuela, No. 26 Philippines, and No. 28 New Zealand. Live scoring is presented by the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup website, with live streaming available through GameTime.sport. Canada's first game in the 2023 WBSC Women's World Cup will be July 22, when the team takes on the Philippines.
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Players Mentioned
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