College Softball - Rebel Spring Games
Lafayette College 6, Rider University 5
Rider University 15, Fairleigh Dickinson 7 / 5 innings
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Rider University softball team rallied from a 4-0 deficit in the nightcap against Fairleigh Dickinson to defeat the Knights and salvage a split on Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida. "We finally put it all together against FDU," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "I like the energy of the team and we are having fun playing. They are a feisty group."
Rider lost to FDU 3-2 on March 17 and to the Knights 10-7 in Virginia on February 28.
Against FDU, junior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) had a grand slam and five RBI, as the Broncs mounted a comeback from four runs down with six runs in the third inning and Rider put the game away with seven in the fourth.
"Eckett had a nice day," Carroll said about her six RBI day.
Also for the Broncs against FDU, freshman Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East) had three hits and three RBI with sophomore Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) picking up the win recording two strikeouts in four innings.
In the opener, Rider (5-11) batted back from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game in the last inning, only to have the Leopards win it in their last at-bat.
Trailing by four entering the seventh, Rider extended the game after two outs on two fielding errors by Lafayette. Eckett came through with an RBI single to tie the game at five after senior Candice Harris (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) hit a two-run single to bring the Broncs to within one at 5-4. Harris had two hits and three RBI in the game.
"The opener was disappointing," Carroll said. "We had opportunities and we didn't score."
An RBI double by Harris scored Ally Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) and gave Rider a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Melia doubled to right center to reach base and scored twice in the game.
The Leopards scored five times in the bottom of the fourth on two hits and three Bronc errors to take a four-run lead.
"The one inning, we kicked the ball around," said Carroll. "We bounced back but I want us to be able to get leads early and not have to fight back every time. We have that ability and that is a good thing but getting an early lead is a good thing as well."
Sophomore Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) only allowed four hits in the complete game effort, recording three strikeouts and allowing only three earned runs as Rider committed five errors.
"Rachael didn't pitch badly," Carroll said. "She didn't have her best stuff but she battled. We didn't help her enough on defense. Lafayette didn't really hit the ball hard until the last inning."
After winning three straight to start the Florida trip, the Broncs had lost four in a row before defeating FDU.
Rider is off Friday before taking on Cornell and Hartford on the final day of the Rebel Games Saturday. "We are excited to play," Carroll added. "Hartford and Cornell are probably the best teams that we will see down here. It will be a challenge."
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