College Softball - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Rider University 8, Saint Peter's College 0 / 6 innings
Rider University 12, Saint Peter's College 0 / 5 innings
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University softball team opened the 2010 conference schedule by sweeping a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader against Saint Peter's on Saturday at Herb and Joan Young Field on the Lawrenceville campus.
"We played well," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "It was important for us to get off to a strong start in conference play. Both pitchers (Rachael Matreale and Kelsey Krisch) struggled in spots early but really battled, settled down and gave us a solid effort. They were good today and the offense, once we got things going, did an exceptional job."
In game one, sophomore Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) threw a complete game three-hitter, recording seven strikeouts for her fourth win of the season.
"We played great today," Matreale said. "It was two good, solid wins. We played hard and our energy was good. We got runs and did not let up runs. That is what we need to do everyday. Everyone contributed, we got plenty of runs on the board and that is what we like to see every game. That just makes our jobs (as pitchers) even easier and the defense played great as well."
Rider (8-15, 2-0 MAAC) broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth, keyed by an RBI single from freshman Heather Muscara (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) and a sacrifice fly by sophomore Lucy Higgins (Westminster, Mass./Notre Dame Academy). Muscara, the MAAC Rookie of the Week for all games played last week, had three hits and four RBI on Saturday and is on a 10-game hitting streak.
"The first game it took us a while to score," Carroll said. "When we got back to what we do best we scored some runs. We just had to put the ball in play and make them make plays on the ball. Pick the pitch you want to hit and make a good swing on the ball and that is what we did."
The Broncs scored twice in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by senior Candice Harris (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) and an RBI double from junior Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) to take a 5-0 lead. Harris had four RBI on the day with two hits with Centeno also recording two hits.
Rider ended the game on the eight-run mercy rule with three in the sixth, including RBI singles from junior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.) and junior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial). Steward had three hits and scored three times in the two games.
Also for Rider in the opener, freshman Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton) went three for three.
In the night cap, the Broncs scored three times in the first on Eckett's fourth home run of the season. Eckett recorded five RBI, scored four times and had three hits on Saturday and has hit safely in her last six games.
"We looked awesome today," Eckett said. "We played as a team. It is awesome having a solid lineup. Everyone can hit and everyone contributes. We are just really playing well together and the team is flowing. Our energy was really high today and I feel if we keep that up we will be fine. Also our pitching is awesome. Our pitchers are coming through for us and we are coming through for them. It is a team effort; everyone is working for each other."
Muscara hit a two run single with Harris adding an RBI double as Rider scored four times in the second and the Broncs put the game away with five in the third, with RBIs from senior Ally Melia (Toms River/Toms River HS North), Harris, Eckett, Muscara and Higgins. Melia went three for three in game two, reaching base all four times and had five hits and scored four times in the two games.
Sophomore Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) recorded her third win of the season, going the distance in the five inning game, recording seven strikeouts, while scattering six hits.
The Broncs have defeated Saint Peter's (1-13, 0-2 MAAC) four straight times and lead the all-time series 26-19.
Rider won twice in Jersey City last season with Saint Peter's winning twice in Lawrenceville in 2008. Rider's last 2-0 start in MAAC play came during the 2008 season when the Broncs swept Siena.
Rider hosts Lehigh in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday.
"We are a deep ball club and no one player has to do it all and you saw that today," Carroll added. "Everyone can do their thing and if that happens, we will be a successful ball club. We can use all of the tools and strengths that we have. I really like how we are playing now and this is good leading up to two really tough teams (Lehigh and Delaware) this week."
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