College Softball
George Mason 4, Rider University 0
Centeno 100th career hit
FAIRFAX, Va.--The Rider University softball team lost on the opening day of the Patriot Invitational, hosted by George Mason Friday afternoon.
For Rider (0-5), junior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) pitched a complete game, recording nine strikeouts and allowed only two earned runs.
"This was a tough loss," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "Rachel had nine strikeouts and we had seven hits. Two errors gave Mason two runs and they added two timely hits. We had chances but didn't take advantage. It is a fine line and our attention to details and the little things has to be better. Rachael pitched well enough to keep us in the game."
The Bronc offense was led by freshman Kehli Washington (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) who had two of Rider's seven hits.
"Kehli is getting more comfortable in the batter's box and is putting the ball in play," Carroll said. "She is fast, puts the ball in play and that puts pressure on the opponent's defense." Washington has hits in her last three games and has four hits on the season.
GMU used a two-out RBI single to plate a run in the first inning and took advantage of a Rider throwing error in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.
An RBI single in the fourth inning gave Mason a 3-0 lead and another Bronc throwing error in the sixth inning led to the final score.
Also for Rider, senior Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) had a single in the first inning for the 100th hit of her career. Centeno is the 44th Rider player with 100 or more career hits.
"Amanda had a nice hit," Carroll said. "She has had a consistent bat for us her entire career and I was glad to see her make the 100 career hit list. We have some quality players that have achieved that and she deserved to reach that milestone."
Sophomores Heather Muscara (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) and Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton) each had doubles for the Broncs with junior Samantha Maher (Neptune) and freshman Laura Gallagher (Flanders/Mendham) adding singles.
Rider has been out-scored 20-1 in the first five games of the season.
The Broncs play George Mason and Cornell on Saturday with the Rider games on Sunday cancelled due to the forecast of inclement weather.
"We have Mason again," Carroll said. "I told them that GMU is like a lot of teams in our conference and we now know what to expect. Cornell is always at the top of the Ivy and they have some big bats so they will be a challenge as well. Saturday is the first time that Cornell will take the field this season and we will have played six games so we are looking for that to be an advantage for us."
-RU-
