College Softball
Saint Peter's College 2, Rider University 1
Rider University 6, Saint Peter's College 0
JERSEY CITY--Behind a three-hit complete game shutout from freshman Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/GCIT), the Rider University softball team defeated Saint Peter's 6-0 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game on Saturday and salvaged a split of the doubleheader at Jaroschak Field in Jersey City.
Maronski recorded five strikeouts and had no walks to record her third win of the season.
"Krysti did well," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "Having no walks was awesome."
Rider (6-18, 1-1 MAAC) jumped on the Peahens in the first inning with three runs including RBI singles by junior Samantha Mayer (Neptune) and freshman Lisa Blanton (Hilliard, Fla./Hilliard).
Mayer hit an RBI double in the fifth inning, giving the Broncs a four-run lead. Mayer finished with four hits on the day, including three hits in the second game.
"Sam had some nice hits and we hope that is the start of some good things for her," Carroll said.
Freshman Ally Coryell (Ewing) had a two-run pinch-hit single in the seventh inning for the final score.
Also for the Broncs in game two, freshman Kehli Washington (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) had two hits with sophomore Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton) adding a double.
In the opener, despite out-hitting Saint Peter's eight to five, Rider lost 2-1.
"The first game was disappointing," said Carroll. "We had opportunities with our big bats at the plate and didn't take advantage. In this conference, there are only 16 games on the league schedule and every game is a must win. I'm not certain that we understand what conference play means yet."
Rider has not made the four-team MAAC playoffs since the 2006 season and missed qualifying by only one game in each of the last two seasons.
The Peahens broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, scoring twice on three hits.
Rider got one back in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by senior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial), scoring senior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.) who had doubled with one out. Steward had four hits for Rider on Saturday.
"Jen has handled the lead off spot very well," Carroll said. "She has come up with big hits and she is a player who is willing to work, willing to learn and is very coachable. It is nice when that type of work ethic translates to success on the field."
Junior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) threw a complete game, recording six strikeouts but was saddled with the loss.
"Rachael pitched very well," Carroll added. "I would expect that with the lineup that we have, we could have our pitching hold the opponent to two runs and win the game."
Rider swept Saint Peter's to open conference play last season and overall the Broncs have won 27 of the 47 games in the series.
Rider travels to Poughkeepsie, New York for a MAAC doubleheader against Marist April 9.
The Red Foxes only had four MAAC wins last season but opened 2011 conference play with a sweep of Siena 3-2 and 7-6, winning game two with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
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