College Softball

Army 8, Rider University 1

Rider University 11, Army 1 (5 innings)

LAWRENCEVILLE?The Rider University softball team snapped a four-game losing streak, winning the nightcap against Army in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday at Herb and Joan Young Field.  The games were originally scheduled for April 1 but were postponed due to rain. 

“The second game was great and the first game was horrendous,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We saw Army a few weeks ago and in the first game, we went out without any idea of what we wanted to do and didn't make those adjustments until the second game.  Once we did, you saw the result.”

For Rider (7-20), sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) had four hits in the second game and six hits overall.  “We realized after the first game that we had to pick our energy up,” Centeno said.  “We gave it everything we had.  More than the hits, our attitude was contagious in the second game and we fed off each other.”

“Amanda really listens to what the coaches have to say,” Carroll said about her third leading hitter.  “She won't get down on herself if she has a bad at-bat and she corrects what she needs to correct.  She can hit the ball and she can move runners up.”

Freshman pitcher Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) tossed four innings of one-hit ball to pick up her fourth win of the season.  “It was great to pitch with runs on the board,” Matreale said.  “It makes it more comfortable for me and helps me to relax.”

Matreale is 4-4 in her last nine outings after an 0-4 start to her collegiate career.  Rider had scored two runs or less in seven of her 12 appearances entering today's game including a 1-0 conference loss to Fairfield last week.

“Rachael has pitched well and has kept us in games,” Carroll said.  “We need her to get her walks down which shows up more when we aren't scoring for her.  She will keep us in games but we need to score for her and all of the pitchers.”

“Our offense will be fine,” Matreale said.  “If our offense is going, we'll win.  Our defense has been better and with the offense coming around, we are going to be a tough team to beat.  We're gelling together as a team and as I pitch more, I'm gaining more confidence.”

The Broncs got on the board in the first inning on an RBI single from sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial).  Eckett had three hits and two RBI in the second game.

A two-run double by freshman Lucy Higgins (Westminster, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) keyed an eight run third inning as Rider put together seven hits to open a nine run lead.

An RBI single by Centeno capped a two-run fourth inning.  Centeno finished with two RBI in the doubleheader.

In the opener, Army (12-21) pounded out 12 hits and used a five run third inning to break the game open.

“We were swinging at the pitches that they wanted us to hit,” Carroll said.  “We didn't attack the pitches that we should have hit and we tried to do too much instead of just putting the ball in play.”

Trailing 6-0 in the third inning, the Broncs broke up the shutout with an RBI groundout by Centeno, scoring junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) who led off the inning with a triple.  Melia had two hits on the day and scored four times including three runs in the second game.

“When we get down, we can't panic,” Carroll added.  “We need to work our way back into the game and not try to hit a six run home run because you can't.  You need to bunch hits together like we did in the second game and go one base at a time and put the pressure back on the opposing team.”

Also for Rider, junior Derrin Minunni singled in the second game, the 97th hit in her career.  Minunni also scored a run and added a sacrifice fly.

This was Rider's first win over Army since the 2004 season.  The Black Knights had defeated Rider 3-1 in eight innings at the Rebel Spring Games March 18. 

The Cadets lead the all-time series 10-9.

This was the first time since a 13-11 loss at Siena on April 14, 2007, that the Broncs have scored in double-digits.  Rider's last 10-run win was on March 17, 2006 against Butler by a score of 11-0.

The Broncs travel to Marist and Siena this weekend for two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheaders.  The Broncs take on the Red Foxes on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Poughkeepsie, New York.

“I'm confident heading into the weekend,” said Centeno.  “We have a lot of talent and I don't doubt the ability of anyone on the team.  I'm looking for us to come home with four wins.”

“I'm excited for the MAAC games,” Matreale added.  “If we play like we did in the second game today, we should have no problem against Marist or Siena.”

“We've been inconsistent and we know what we need to do to correct that and give ourselves the opportunity to play well,” said Carroll.  “I know we can go up there and do it.  We have the hitters, defense and pitching staff to do it.  We know we will give up runs but we have to limit our mistakes and take advantage of our opportunities to score.”