College Softball ? Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Niagara University 5, Rider University 1
Rider University 3, Niagara University 1
LAWRENCEVILLE?The mission of the day was simple enough. Two victories and win a trip to Poughkeepsie, New York for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference post-season tournament starting Thursday. “I'm really proud of this group,” said head coach Tricia Carroll who completes her 15th season at Rider. “We could have had a lot of things pull this team apart and we didn't. We battled right down to the last day and I'm proud of them.”
The Rider University softball team saw its season come to an end with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader split against Niagara Wednesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.
The MAAC Games were originally rained out on Sunday.
For Rider (16-32, 8-8 MAAC) in the nightcap, senior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) celebrated senior day with a complete game five-hitter, allowing one unearned run while recording three strikeouts to pickup her fifth win of the season.
“It's nice knowing that we ended on a win,” said Brunner. “Even though it didn't mean anything in the standings, we still came out and played hard and that shows me a lot about myself and my teammates.”
“Lauren has worked hard for four years,” said Carroll. “She has gotten better and better and she was big for us the last half of the conference season.”
Trailing 1-0 in the fourth, Brunner had an RBI groundout, scoring junior Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) who had reached on a double. Senior Katie Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) added an RBI single, scoring junior Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock North) giving the Broncs a 2-1 lead.
Sophomore Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) had an RBI single in the fifth for the final score.
“I'm proud of the kids for battling back after a tough first game,” said Carroll. “They played hard that second game and to fight through the disappointment was good. It's hard when you are in it the whole year and suddenly the opportunity is gone. I was glad to see them want to go out with a win.”
Rider entered the day needing a sweep of the Purple Eagles to qualify for the four-team MAAC playoffs. With Niagara (27-17, 9-7 MAAC) scoring a 5-1 win in the opener, the Purple Eagles clinched the fourth seed in the double elimination tournament.
Niagara opened the scoring in the first inning on a two out RBI single and added single runs in the second and third inning off of two Rider errors.
A two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Purple Eagles a five run lead before Eckett hit an RBI single in the sixth inning, scoring sophomore Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) to get Rider on the board. Centeno and junior Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) each had two hits for the Broncs in game one.
Freshman Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) went four innings, allowing four earned runs with seven walks to take the loss.
“Things did not fall our way in the first game,” said Brunner. “We kept hitting the ball right at Niagara and they made all of the plays. They took advantage of the errors that we made and we couldn't come across with the runs we needed.”
“We needed to score more than one run,” Carroll said. Niagara is a good hitting team and we held their big bats off the board. The pitchers did their job and we made some nice plays at the plate to cut down some runs.”
Rider has won 15 of the 28 games all-time against Niagara. The Purple Eagles swept the Broncs 7-2 and 4-3 in Niagara University, New York last season.
The last time the Broncs swept a home MAAC doubleheader was on April 12, 2008 against Siena.
“We were one game short,” Carroll added. The MAAC finished with three 9-7 teams and we were 8-8. The games were close all year and the competition in league play was awesome.”
Rider honored its graduating seniors prior to the second game, Brunner, Mills and Clarissa Ortiz (Vineland/Sacred Heart). “Watching the three of them grow as athletes on and off the field is a great experience,” said Carroll. “That transition of being looked upon as to how to act and to see them grow as leaders, they did a really nice job. They did a great job of showing who a Rider softball player is and we will miss that leadership.”
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