College Softball

University of Delaware 3, Rider University 2

University of Delaware 9, Rider University 2

LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite four hits on the day from senior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian), the Rider University softball team was swept by the University of Delaware in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.  “We're frustrated,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We are getting the runners on base and the scoring opportunities and we just aren't getting them in.  I don't know if bazillion is a word but it felt like we left a bazillion runners on base today.”

Rider left 11 on base in the opener and 19 on base in the two games.

“We had our opportunities in both games,” said Day-Neutill.  “The only team that really can beat us is ourselves and we need to look to the weekend and the start of the conference schedule as a new beginning.”

Rider (7-17) trailed 1-0 in the opener when sophomore Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) led off the third inning with a double down the left field line.  After a sacrifice bunt, Day-Neutill bunted for a hit, scoring Harris to tie the game at one.  Harris had two hits and scored twice in the doubleheader.

After Delaware (18-14) took the lead on three hits and a Bronc error in the fourth, Rider tied the game in the fifth on a bases loaded fielder's choice by sophomore Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker), scoring sophomore Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock-North) who reached on a single to left.  Kozlowski scored twice and had two hits including a double in the doubleheader with Minunni adding two hits in the opening game.

Delaware took the lead for good on a two-out RBI double in the sixth inning.

“The first game was a great game,” said Carroll.  “Delaware is a very good hitting team.  We've been hanging tough with good teams and we weren't lacking for opportunities to score in the first game.  We just didn't get that one big hit to break an inning open.”

Senior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) took the loss for the Broncs, throwing a complete game, recording five strikeouts.

“Jess had a great outing and certainly pitched well enough to win,” said Carroll.  “She did a great job and Jess is the perfect type of pitcher to keep a strong hitting team off balance.  She mixed it up well and kept the ball down.  You also can't look past the job that Megan [Kozlowski] has done calling games.  It is a huge help that the coaches can focus on other areas during the game and not have to worry about which pitch is being called for a certain situation.”

In the night cap, Delaware scored three unearned runs in the first inning jumping out to an early lead.  Trailing 4-0, Rider got on the board in the third with a Day-Neutill single and Delaware error scoring Harris.

The Blue Hens added three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth for the final score.  “If we get some timely hits, it changes the complexion of the game,” Carroll said.  “Maybe its a little closer and it becomes a two or three run game instead of a seven run game and then your opponent starts to play differently when the game is closer and you start to see different pitches.”

“It's one of those days,” Carroll added.  “We had a Delaware batter struck out and couldn't quite hold the foul tip and then she hits a three run home run on the next pitch.  Those things keep happening to us and it's getting a little frustrating for me, the players, everyone.  We're not playing badly.  We just aren't getting any breaks and I told the team after the game that you have to create your own breaks by executing and not giving up extra outs and control more of the things that we can control.  We can't let the frustration get us down and we need to take things one pitch at a time and go from there.”

Rider hosts Siena in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at noon.  In between games on Saturday, Rider will hold a dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Herb and Joan Young Softball Field.  In addition, the Broncs will welcome back all softball alumni to celebrate 30 years of Rider softball.

“We are 0-0 and conference play starts Saturday,” said Carroll.  “The players know we can play and we know we have been inconsistent.  We are working to fight through that and the real season starts this weekend.”

“Saturday begins a new season,” said Day-Neutill who is now tied for seventh all-time at Rider with 184 career hits.  “Our freshmen have stepped up and are not acting like freshmen.  As a team, we are a tight knit group and the closer you are as a team, the more successful you will be.”

With 16 of the next 22 games in MAAC play, Rider looks to use the lessons of its 24 game ?pre-season' schedule to qualify in the top four of conference and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season.