College Softball
Rider University 6, Canisius College 2
Canisius College 5, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
LAWRENCEVILLE?Freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) threw a complete game two-hitter in the opening game against Canisius, leading the Broncs to a split over the two-time defending Metro Atlantic Conference champions Saturday afternoon. “Rachael did well,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “Her presence on the mound is getting better and better each game. This was a huge win and overall I was encouraged by what I saw today.”
Matreale recorded five strikeouts to pick up her third win of the season. “We are counting heavily on our freshmen,” Carroll said. “How quickly they develop will be the key to our season.”
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning, Rider (6-17, 1-1 MAAC) tied the game on an RBI single from sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) and after a walk, senior Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) hit a three-run home run to leftfield giving the Broncs a 4-1 lead. Eckett finished with two hits on the day.
Mills hit her team leading fifth home run of the season in the sixth inning, a two-run shot to left field, giving Rider a 6-1 lead. Mills finished with five RBI in the game and had three hits in the doubleheader.
“Katy did well with her pitch selection and even when she didn't get a hit, she found a way to get on base for us,” Carroll said. “She worked counts and made some things happen. She had a productive day and wasn't trying to do too much. She hit the ball where it was being pitched.”
In the nightcap, despite a complete game effort from freshman Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North), the Broncs lost 5-1. Krisch finished with three strikeouts. “Kelsey pitched well,” Carroll said. “A couple of hits dropped in and Canisius was able to pick up a run here and a run there. Overall, she kept us in the game and did a nice job. She works really hard and is composed on the field.”
Trailing 5-0 in the fifth inning, Eckett hit a sacrifice fly, scoring sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) who reached base with a one out single. Centeno had three hits in the second game.
“Amanda is another one that gets the ball in play for us,” said Carroll. “She sacrifices and is a team player.”
Also for Rider, junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River North) had three hits on the day with junior Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) adding two hits including a double in the second game.
“It was key for us not to have made any errors,” Carroll added. “The defense was solid and against anyone, let alone the defending champions, you can't afford to give anything away.”
This was Rider's first win over the Golden Griffins since the 2006 season and Canisius leads the all-time series 18-12. “Pitching coach Heather Beintena told the team after the game how significant getting a win from Canisius was,” Carroll said. “Any conference win is big but to split with the preseason favorite in the league builds your confidence.”
Rider hosts Fairfield in a MAAC doubleheader scheduled for Sunday at Herb and Joan Young Field on the Lawrenceville campus at 1:00p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the doubleheader will be played Tuesday afternoon.
“I was pleased with the effort today and I expect that same effort whether we play Sunday or Tuesday,” Carroll said. “Fairfield is tough. They use whatever method they need, to put the ball in play. They make you make mistakes and we will have to be ready.”
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