University of Hartford 4, Rider University 0
Cornell University 8, Rider University 0 (6 innings)
KISSIMMEE, FLA.?The Rider University softball team lost twice on the final day of the Rebel Spring Games in Florida Saturday. “It's hard to say after two shutouts but we looked better in the batter's box,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “The effort and energy was much better than it was Friday. We played two very good teams today.”
Rider (5-14) was held to two hits in the opener, including a double from sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial).
Sophomore Samantha Bennett (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) went five and two-thirds innings, allowing four earned runs to take the loss for the Broncs. “I thought Samantha pitched well,” said Carroll. “She is a drop ball pitcher and kept Hartford's big bats off balance. She did what we needed her to do.”
In the second game, Cornell scored in five of six innings, holding Rider to one hit, a leadoff single by junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) in a shutout win. Melia batted .333 in the 11 games during the Florida trip.
Freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) went the distance for the Broncs, allowing five earned runs as Rider made three errors.
“We did not the make routine plays,” Carroll said. “I'm not taking about screaming line drives, the routine plays, we didn't make them. We have to play better than that. Rachael pitched better than the score indicated. If we aren't going to score that many runs, we can't afford to give any away.”
The Broncs have lost four straight and travel to St. John's on Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader.
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