College Softball
Fairfield University 1, Rider University 0
Fairfield University 6, Rider University 1
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Rider University softball team was swept by Fairfield University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field. "I'm disappointed that we lost both games," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "It was a tough day."
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning of the second game, junior Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) hit an RBI single, scoring sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) who had reached on an error to start the inning. Minunni had two hits in the doubleheader.
Freshman Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) went five innings for the Broncs, allowing six hits and four earned runs.
"I give a ton of credit to the Fairfield pitcher," said Carroll. "She did a great job keeping us off balance and we didn't do a very good job adjusting. In the second game we had bases loaded with no outs and managed just one run. We let the game get away from us in the next inning on an error and then threw the ball around. Overall, we need to play better."
Senior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) allowed one earned run, recording three strikeouts in two innings of relief.
In the opener, Rider (6-19, 1-3 MAAC) was held to three hits, losing 1-0.
"You not going to win many ball games with one run although Fairfield did it today," Carroll said. "That is a little tough to take. Two runs win us the game. We have the offensive talent to make more happen than we did today."
The Stags broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with an RBI double. On the play, junior leftfielder Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) relayed to senior shortstop Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) who threw to Minunni at the plate to cut down the second Stag run, holding Fairfield's lead to one run.
"We made defensive plays and they were making plays in the end they were one hit better," said Carroll. "We had chances in both games but could only manage one run."
Rider wasted a complete game effort from freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) who threw a five-hitter while recording six strikeouts. "Rachael pitched a very good game," Carroll added. "I thought Kelsey did a nice job too but we didn't give either pitcher any run support."
Also for the Broncs, junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) had two hits in the doubleheader.
Fairfield leads the all-time series 21-7.
The Broncs host Army at 2:00pm in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday.
-RU-
