College Softball
Rutgers University 12, Rider University 6
LAWRENCEVILLE?Despite the seventh home run of the season from junior Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado), the Rider University softball team lost a non-conference game to in-state rival Rutgers 12-6 on Tuesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.
Harris had two hits on the day and scored three times to go along with three RBI.
Trailing 4-0 in the second inning, sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) hit a solo home run for Rider (9-23), her sixth of the season. Eckett finished with two hits including a double. “I was happy with the way we battled back,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “It's hard when you spot a team a four run lead.”
The Broncs tied the game at four in the third inning when Harris homered to right center scoring junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) and sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) who had each singled. Melia and Centeno each had two hits on the day.
Trailing 7-4 in the fifth, junior Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) hit an RBI double scoring Harris to get the Broncs to within two. “The hitting was there,” Carroll said. “I was frustrated by some of the sloppiness on defense and some of our indecision.”
Rutgers scored two in the sixth and three in the seven before junior Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock HS North) hit an RBI double for the final score.
Freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) took the loss for the Broncs, allowing six earned runs while recording five strikeouts in four innings of work. “Rachael struggled a little with the cold weather,” Carroll added. “It didn't look like she got into any type of flow or rhythm.”
Rider travels to Delaware to take on the Blue Hens in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.
Over 200 fans and student-athletes braved the weather as part of ?Code Cranberry'. Code Cranberry is an initiative designed to foster support among the 20 varsity sports at Rider by having student-athletes attend each other's competitions when they are not otherwise in class or at practice.
“The crowd was nice,” Carroll added. “It was nice to see the stands packed. They got to see a little bit of an offensive show.”
-RU-
