College Softball
Rider University 4, Florida A&M 3
Rider University 6, University of Rhode Island 5 / 8 innings
KISSIMMEE, Florida ? The Rider University softball team broke a five game losing streak, winning twice on Saturday at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida. “We had a much better day today,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “We spoke before the game about the things we can control, effort, energy and attitude and for the most part, we were in the game and having a good time playing.”
In the second game against Rhode Island, Rider (3-6) spotted the Rams a 4-0 lead before scoring five times in the third inning, keyed by a two-run double from senior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian). Day-Neutill had two hits on the day for the Broncs.
After Rhode Island tied the game in the seventh, Rider won it in the eighth when freshman Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) scored sophomore Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) on a sacrifice fly. Harris started the inning on second base under the international tie breaker rules. Eckett had two hits and four RBI's in the doubleheader.
“I think we played awesome today,” said Eckett. “We had so much energy. You feel pressure as the fourth batter in the lineup and I wanted to come through for the team.”
Junior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) went the distance for Rider, scattering nine hits, allowing only one earned run.
“You have to play like who you are,” said Carroll. “We are not a long ball hitting team, we need to put the ball in play, get good pitching and play solid defense and not give up extra outs. Today we kept the games close so we had a chance to come back. We were composed and Jessica and Lauren pitched great.”
The Broncs defeated Florida A&M in the opener.
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning, Rider tied the game on an error and took the lead on an RBI single by sophomore Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker). Minunni had two hits and an RBI in the opener.
Senior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) scattered nine hits, recording two strikeouts to pick up the complete game win.
“Two one-run wins was good,” Carroll added. “They hung tough. In the past we let some innings get away from us with a little mistake leading to an extra out and an extra run. We didn't do that today. We had some great defensive plays and we hit the ball well. We had good at-bats and put the ball in play and that's what we need to do. It was a solid effort all the way around.”
After a day off on Sunday, the Broncs face Wagner and Colgate on Monday in Florida.
“We are playing better,” Eckett said. “If we play like we did today, we'll keep winning games.”
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