College Softball
Saint Joseph's University 13, Rider University 5
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Saint Joseph's Hawks defeated Rider University in a non-conference softball game Wednesday afternoon. “It was frustrating,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “We turned a good close game into some ugliness.”
For Rider (1-4), senior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) had three hits including a double with freshman Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) adding two hits with a double.
“We did some good things,” Carroll said. “We made some nice defensive plays but that one inning at the end, we got sloppy and Saint Joseph's took advantage of that.”
Sophomore Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) scored twice with freshman Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) knocking in two runs for the Broncs.
Trailing 3-0 after half an inning, Rider responded with two in the bottom of the first on an Eckett RBI single and a Centeno RBI walk.
With Saint Joseph's leading 6-2 in the fifth, the Broncs scored three times including RBI singles from sophomore Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) and junior Clarissa Ortiz (Vineland/Sacred Heart). After a Hawk pitching change, Minunni was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice with one out ending the Rider rally.
“There were a lot of positives being able to play today,” said Carroll. “You hope they learn from the negatives that happened and that those problems don't come back.”
The single game was originally scheduled at Saint Joseph's but was moved to Rider due to wet field conditions.
Saint Joseph's (3-9) added an insurance run in the sixth and six in the seventh to break the game open.
“It's hard having played two weeks ago,” Carroll added. “The practices have been a little inconsistent being inside then outside then inside again. It will come around. For the most part we were pretty composed. We are getting some good at-bats and putting the ball in play. We are battling and that is a good sign.”
Senior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) took the loss for the Broncs, throwing a complete game while recording two strikeouts.
For the Hawks, Brooke Darreff had four hits including a double with three RBI's and two runs scored. Lauren Cognigni pitched four innings for the win with Lauren Pembleton throwing the last three for the save.
Rider travels to Kissimmee, Florida for the Rebel Spring Games, facing Robert Morris and Cleveland State on Friday.
“I am happy to be heading south,” Carroll said. “I am thrilled to try to get a few games in a row. It feels like it has taken so long to get the season started and the Florida trip (12 games) gives us a great opportunity to play and see live pitching.”
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