College Softball
United State Military Academy (Army) 7, Rider University 3
Fairleigh Dickinson University 3, Rider University 2 / 8 innings
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Rider University softball team lost twice on Wednesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida.
For Rider (4-10) in the nightcap, freshman Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East) had an RBI single in the fourth inning as the Broncs plated two runs to tie game at two. Freshman Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton), the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week last week, had an RBI fielder's choice, scoring junior Jen Steward to get Rider on the board. Steward reached base on a single to left.
FDU had scored twice in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead.
The Knights used the internationally tie-breaker rule to plate a run in the eighth.
"The second game was a great game," said Carroll. "Both pitchers did a nice job. We kept chasing the rise ball and FDU's pitcher kept throwing it. We had our two, three and four hitters up with a runner on second (tie breaker rule) and we didn't score so that was a missed opportunity. It was a really good game but we should have been able to score a run."
Sophomore Rachael Matreale (Williamstown), the MAAC Pitcher of the Week last week, threw all eight innings, recording six strikeouts for Rider.
"Rachael pitched great, pitched really well," Carroll said. "Overall we competed hard and we are playing tough and with a lot of energy. It was just one of those days."
In the opener against Army, Rider scored twice in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn't enough as a four-spot by the Knights in the top half of the inning proved to be the difference.
"The first game was kind of disappointing," said Carroll. "Their pitcher did a nice job and we didn't start hitting until late in the game. We had chances late in the game to score some more but we made early mistakes that put us behind."
Steward had a sacrifice bunt, scoring senior Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock HS North) as Rider took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Kozlowski reached on a bunt single.
Trailing 7-1 entering the bottom of the seventh, pinch-runner, freshman Christina LoBrutto (Hillsborough) and sophomore Samantha Mayer (Neptune) each scored on bases loaded walks as the Broncs attempted a late come back.
"One of our goals is to not give up that big inning (two or more runs)," Carroll said. "We could not get out of the seventh and it is frustrating because without that inning, we would have tied the game."
Sophomore Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) went the distance for Rider, recording three strikeouts.
After winning three of four to start the trip south, the Broncs have lost three straight.
"We are playing hard and the younger players are stepping up and gaining a lot of experience in competitive games," Carroll said.
Rider plays Lafayette at 1pm before facing FDU again at 5:00pm on Thursday.
"We need to keep playing, keep playing hard and good things will happen," Carroll added.
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