College Softball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 0
Fairfield University 5, Rider University 2 / 8 innings
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Rider University softball team was swept by Fairfield University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Herb and Joan Young Field Monday afternoon.
"This was a bummer," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "We competed well for two games. We were a hit here and a play there short today. The subtle things that gave Fairfield runs are what cost us."
In the opener, Rider (7-30, 1-9 MAAC) was held without a hit for five and two thirds innings by Stag pitcher Sarah Minice.
"Give Fairfield credit," Carroll said. "They took extra bases when they could and capitalized on any mistake that we made. Minice is one of the best pitchers in the conference and she did a good job keeping us off balance. We had better at-bats against her in the second game. In our history against her, we've played her well."
Freshman Kehli Washington (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) broke up the no-hitter with a dribbler up the third base line.
Sophomore Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River East) and junior Samantha Mayer (Neptune) each had infield singles in the seventh inning as Rider brought the tying run to the plate but Minice recorded her sixth strikeout of the game to secure the win.
Junior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) allowed five hits and recorded eight strikeouts.
"Rachael pitched very well," Carroll said. "She battled in both games and we were a hit or two away from helping her out."
In the nightcap, Fairfield (22-15, 7-1 MAAC), used a bases clearing double in the eighth inning to plate three runs in the 5-2 victory.
Rider got on the board in the second inning when Mayer led off with a single and eventually scored on two Stag errors.
The Broncs took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on an RBI double by Paul, scoring Washington who led off the inning with a single.
Paul had four hits on the day including three hits (two doubles) in game two.
"Alyssa (Paul), if she wanted to could be an amazing player," Carroll said. "Right now, she is good and is getting it done. But she can step up more and put this team on her shoulders and we need her to realize that."
Fairfield tied the game at two on a Rider error in the fourth inning, one of five errors made by the Broncs.
Matreale pitched four innings of relief, scattering six hits and recording five strikeouts in the loss. Freshman Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/GCIT) went the first three innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while recording one strikeout.
Minice threw five and two thirds innings of relief for the Stags in game two to pick up her second win of the day.
Also for the Broncs in game two, senior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.) had her second double of the season.
"We play really well about 85 percent of the time," Carroll said about the season. "The talent we have and the pitching, even with the injuries, I put us up against anyone if we played 100 percent all out, all the time. Being down two starters has affected us but we can still control our effort."
The teams combined for 24 runners left on base in game two.
Rider swept the Stags to end the 2010 season, winning 2-0 in eight innings and 12-2 at Fairfield. Rider lost 1-0 and 6-1 to the Stags in Lawrenceville in 2009 and lost two games by 1-0 scores in 2008 at Fairfield.
This is Rider's second extra-inning conference loss of the season.
"I feel we let one slip away," Carroll added. "I'm proud that we were right there and competed hard but I think we let one get away today. The energy has been really good and we seem to be supporting each other, even through the adversity and our record."
Fairfield and Rider have now met 32 times in a series that began in 1998 with the Broncs winning nine times.
Today's doubleheader was originally scheduled for Saturday and was postponed due to rain.
Rider hosts Monmouth on Wednesday in a non-conference doubleheader at 3pm.
"Monmouth is always tough," Carroll added. "I always like to play tough teams. I expect it to be a good, competitive doubleheader. And with Lehigh on Thursday, they are a perennial 40 win team and that will be another tough test."
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