College Softball - Rebel Spring Games
Cornell University 8, Rider University 0 / 6 innings
University of Hartford 3, Rider University 2
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Rider University softball team was swept on the final day of the Rebel Spring Games in Florida on Saturday.
The Broncs lost to Cornell 8-0 and to Hartford 3-2 to finish the Florida swing of the 2010 schedule 4-6.
In game two, sophomore Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and no earned runs as Rider made four errors.
"We had chances in the second game," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "It was a good game, we just didn't make a few plays. Rachael pitched well. Playing a good team like Hartford, giving them that one extra run was all they needed. I wouldn't say we gave the game to them, Hartford just took advantage of any mistake that we made."
Junior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) hit an RBI single, scoring senior Ally Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) in the first inning as the Broncs took a 1-0 lead. Eckett had 12 RBI in the 10 game Florida trip.
Rider broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning with senior Candice Harris (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) hitting Melia in with an RBI single. Harris led Rider with a .370 average in the 10 Florida games.
The Hawks responded with two runs in the fourth inning, on no hits and two Bronc errors to take a 3-2 lead.
Junior Jen Steward (Haddon Township/Haddon Township) had three of Rider's eight hits in the second game with freshman Heather Muscara (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) extending her hitting streak to five games with a single in the sixth inning. Steward batted .367 (11 for 30) at the Rebel games.
In the opener, the Broncs were held to two hits against the Big Red with junior Sam Bennett (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) taking the loss, working four innings.
"Cornell is the defending Ivy League champs," Carroll said. "They have the player of the year and pitcher of the year. They are extremely disciplined at the place and we couldn't get them to chase out of the zone. Then when we had to come into the strike zone, they hit it."
Cornell broke a scoreless tie in the second inning, scoring three times on four hits and a Bronc error and used two walks and two hits, including a two-out, two-run single to take a 6-0 lead through three innings.
"All of these games get us ready for conference play," said Carroll. "We get to see what the pitchers can do and what the hitters can do. The younger players have been doing awesome and they are going to be in there. A couple of them have made themselves indispensible and it is hard to take them out of the line up."
Rider (5-13) opens the 2010 home schedule with a single game against Saint Joseph's on March 25 at Herb and Joan Young Field on the Lawrenceville campus. First pitch is scheduled for 3pm with the Hawks as the designated home team.
-RU-
