College Softball ? Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Manhattan College 5 Rider University 4
Rider University 7 Manhattan College 1
RIVERDALE, N.Y.?The situation that faced the Rider University softball team Saturday was pretty simple. Win twice or at least split two games against the first place Manhattan Jaspers and you still have a chance to qualify for the four-team MAAC playoffs going into the last day of the season.
Mission accomplished. On the strength of a six-run fifth inning in the nightcap, Rider (15-31, 7-7 MAAC) salvaged a split and will face Niagara on Wednesday (rained out Sunday) still in the mix for the post season MAAC tournament.
“We had to come back and win the second game,” head coach Tricia Carroll said. “We've had a tough season but the effort today shows me that the kids want to play and wanted the last games of the season to mean something and now we have a chance to make the post season and do something special.”
Trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning, the Broncs used RBI singles from sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial), junior Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) and junior Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock HS North) along with three Jasper errors to turn a pitchers dual into a five-run lead. Minunni and Kozlowski each had two hits in the game.
Senior Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) opened the sixth with a double and scored on an RBI single by junior Allyson Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) for the final score.
“The second game is proof that we are that good and can play that well,” Carroll said.
Senior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) pitched five innings of shutout relief, recording six strikeouts to pick up her fourth win of the season.
“With the development of our freshman pitchers, Lauren has been able to get into the role of a short reliever,” said Carroll. “We can use her in certain situations and she has been effective. She doesn't get rattled and is very composed. She has provided great senior leadership for us. It is a perfect role for Lauren and it could not have happened without the development of freshmen Rachael Matreale and Kelsey Krisch.”
In the opener, Manhattan (18-24, 10-4 MAAC) broke a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning with a one out RBI single for the win. “The first game was such a heart breaker,” Carroll said. “We fought hard to come back and played hard. I was proud at how we fought.”
Rider opened the scoring in the first on an RBI ground out by Minunni, scoring sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) who had reached on a fielder's choice.
Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, the Broncs battled back with a two-run double by Kozlowski scoring Eckett and junior Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) who each had singled. Harris went four for four with two doubles in the opener.
“Candice was on the Manhattan pitcher and hit her well,” Carroll said. “We needed her to step up and have a big day.”
Rider tied the game in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Centeno, scoring Melia who had reached on a two-out triple.
Melia, Centeno and Eckett each had two hits in the first game.
Freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) took the loss, going six and one-third innings, allowing six hits while recording five strikeouts.
“Rachael pitched well,” Carroll said. “She has had an excellent rookie season and continues to work hard for us.”
Rider hosts Niagara in the final MAAC regular season games of the season at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday at Herb and Joan Young Field. The Broncs will honor their three graduating seniors, Brunner, Mills and Clarissa Ortiz (Vineland/Sacred Heart) in between games of the doubleheader.
“We have to come out and play on Sunday, knowing we still have a chance,” Carroll said. “It is senior day and we are still in it. What can be better than having the last day of the season matter. This is exciting.”
Rider has won 13 of the 24 games all-time against the Jaspers. Last season, the Broncs also split with Manhattan, winning 2-0 before losing 8-0 in Lawrenceville.
Fairfield and Manhattan each enter play on Sunday tied for first at 10-4 in MAAC play with Canisius and Marist tied at 9-7, having completed their MAAC seasons. Niagara (8-6), which won twice at Saint Peter's on Saturday and Rider (7-7) can at least tie the Golden Griffins and Red Foxes for the third and fourth seed in the MAAC playoffs which will be May 7-9 in Poughkeepsie, New York. The official pairings will be announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.
Rider last qualified for the MAAC playoffs in 2006.
“The conference was extremely tight this year,” Carroll added. “In 15 seasons, I don't ever remember a conference race being this bunched together entering the final day. There have been tons of one-run games, not only with us, extra inning games and seventh inning heroics and today was more of the same, league wide. It is great for the conference.”
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