College Softball
Marist College 3, Rider University 2
Marist College 7, Rider University 3
Rider's Day-Neutill 100th Career Run Scored
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Rider University softball team lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader to Marist on Saturday at Herb and Joan Young Field. “The first game was a great game,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “Megan Rigos is one of the best pitchers in the conference and we did a great job against her. They were one hit better. I thought Lauren [Brunner] pitched great and I thought the defense did a fantastic job.”
For Rider (10-24, 2-4 MAAC) in the opener, junior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) threw a complete game, scattering seven hits while recording six strikeouts and allowed only two earned runs. “Lauren kept a solid hitting team off balance,” said pitching coach Heather Beintema. “She mixed in some ?junk' and got Marist to swing at her pitches. She deserved to win the game. Marist was a couple of hits better today and that's a little frustrating. We were right there today.”
The Broncs opened the scoring in the second inning when senior Aimee Schiller (Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley) doubled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
With the game tied at one in the fourth inning, Rider retook the lead when Brunner hit an RBI single scoring freshman Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) who was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Brunner had two hits in the doubleheader.
Trailing by two in the seventh, Marist (15-22, 2-3 MAAC) rallied with a two run single with two outs.
“I thought we competed well,” said Carroll. “The energy was good and we battled.”
Each team scored three times in the first inning of the second game with Eckett hitting a three-run double for the Broncs. Senior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) was one of the runners who scored on the Eckett hit, the 100th run scored of Day-Neutill's career at Rider.
“We competed today,” said Day-Neutill. “It seemed that we were one hit behind Marist all day. It seemed to be their day. You hate to lose a close game but I am happy that we came out and competed. We were a tough team and it was two good games. It feels good to score 100 runs but it is a team accomplishment. I was able to get on base but someone had to hit me in so it is a nice reward for the team to have some one score 100 career runs. It's a great honor.”
Marist broke the three all tie in the sixth inning on an infield hit and scored three insurance runs in the seventh for the final score.
Also for Rider, sophomore Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) had three hits in the second game with sophomore Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) adding two hits including a double.
The Broncs host Manhattan in the final home games of the 2008 season on Sunday at 1pm. In between games of the MAAC doubleheader, Rider will honor its four graduating seniors.
“This was two good games to take into tomorrow,” Day-Neutill added. “I think we have a good shot. It will be a little emotional for everyone. We still have 10 regular season games left but it is the last home game and we have to put that out of our minds and just play.”
“All I ask everyday is for the players to bring a positive attitude and energy to the field,” said Carroll. “If we control the things that we can control and come out with enthusiasm, we'll be fine.”
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