College Softball
Georgetown University 9, Rider University 0
Elon University 5, Rider University 1
ELON, NC--The bad news is that the Broncs lost to Georgetown and host Elon on Sunday. The good news is that despite having a field that has been covered with snow since practice started, the Broncs have played four games to date. "We got to be outside and play," said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. "It was a beautiful field and the weather was great."
The Broncs (0-4) scored their first run of the season in the fourth inning of their fourth game, when senior Ally Melia (Toms River/Toms River North) walked and stole second, was sacrificed to third and scored on an RBI single by senior Candice Harris (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) to cut the Elon (5-0) lead to 3-1.
Rider sophomore pitcher Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) struck out six Elon batters. "Rachael pitched twice this weekend," Carroll said, "and she pitched great today. She's been working hard and really pitched well. Elon is a tough team. Yesterday she struck out five in a short game."
Matreale won a team-high seven games last year as a rookie and is expected to carry the load this year.
Melia, junior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) and freshman Alyssa Paul (Toms River/toms River East) also collected hits against Elon.
Eckett is a Preseason All-MAAC selection this year after collecting 40 hits last season, including a team-high seven home runs and a team-high seven doubles. "Brittany isn't getting many pitches to hit, but to her credit she is showing good patience, taking the pitches and drawing walks," Carroll said.
"What I was looking for, especially in the new players, was how comfortable they looked at the plate," Carroll said. "We had some good at bats.
Against Georgetown (2-2) Rider sophomore Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock North) pitched and struck out two.
The Hoyas broke open a 2-0 game with five runs in the fourth inning on three hits, three walks, a wild pitch and a passed ball.
Senior Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) collected Rider's only hit against Georgetown.
Sophomore Samantha Mayer (Neptune), a transfer from Caldwell, saw action in the outfield. "Sammy played both games in right field and made a couple of nice plays," Carroll said.
"We're still searching for a set line up, but this weekend helped let us know what we have," Carroll said.
The Broncs travel to Norfolk, Virginia to take on Norfolk State, Quinnipiac and Fairleigh Dickinson February 27-28. "Quinnipiac is going to be just as tough," Carroll said. "The Northeast Conference schools made a commitment and they are good. FDU is not one of the top NEC teams and they beat us in the fall. But at least we'll be outside and we get to play."
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