College Softball
Niagara University 8, Rider University 0 / 5 innings
Niagara University 12, Rider University 0 / 5 innings
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y.--The Rider University softball team was swept in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Niagara Saturday afternoon.
"This was disappointing," said head coach Tricia Carroll who saw her team fall to 4-4 in the conference after starting 4-0. "Niagara is a scrappy team and they have good pitching but it's not like we haven't seen good pitching before. Nothing was over powering and the surprising part is that we didn't score."
In the opener, the Purple Eagles put the game away early with two in the first and four in the second inning with pitcher Julie DiMatteo recording a five-inning no-hitter.
In the second game, DiMatteo threw a combined three-hitter as Niagara scored seven times in the fourth inning to win 12-0.
Senior Ally Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North) had two of Rider's hits including a double with junior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.) adding a single.
"We hit a few right at their fielders but they were not over powering," Carroll added. "They (Niagara's pitchers) did what they needed to do."
Sophomore Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) took the loss in the opener with junior Sam Bennett (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) absorbing the loss in the nightcap.
In a series that started in 1988, Rider and Niagara have now split 30 games. The teams split two MAAC games last season in Lawrenceville.
Rider stays in Western, New York to face Canisius in a MAAC doubleheader at 10:00am on Sunday.
"We need to remember the mistakes we made at the plate but have a short memory," Carroll said. "We need to learn from today and not ignore it but we also need to be ready to get right back after it on Sunday."
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