College Softball
Lehigh University 6, Rider University 0
Rider University 8, Lehigh University 4
BETHLEHEM, Pa.--In the little town of Bethlehem, the Rider University softball team picked up a big win, splitting a non-conference doubleheader against perennial Patriot League power Lehigh University on Thursday afternoon.
The Mountain Hawks won the opener 6-0 with Rider (8-32) prevailing 8-4 in the second game as the Broncs banged out 13 hits.
"The second game, we hit, moved runners up and made some nice plays," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "With the way the season has gone, every win right now is big. We had energy, a little swagger and things went our way, more than they did in the first game."
Junior Lucy Higgins (Westminster, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) hit a two-run double to right center field, giving Rider a 2-0 first inning lead. Sophomore Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md. (Elkton) hit an infield single to second base in the third inning, scoring senior Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif./Buena) who led off the inning with a double, giving the Broncs a 3-0 lead. Centeno had two hits in game two and four hits on the day, playing the 149th and 150th games of her Rider career.
"Amanda works so hard and is so coachable and positive," Carroll said. "She has been able to develop as a player because she is so willing and loves the game. She is a team player and just loves to play and learn. She has a great attitude and would run through a wall for you and the attitude that she brings and Jen (Steward) brings has just been great. They have talent but their heart trumps their talent and that is what makes them great players."
After the Mountain Hawks cut the Bronc lead to 3-2, Rider scored twice in the fourth on an RBI single by senior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.) and a double steal as Rider regained a three-run lead. Steward had two hits and scored twice in the second game.
"Jen Steward and Amanda (Centeno) and the rest of the seniors, this group has been fun," Carroll said. "All I wanted for them is at the end of their careers to have no regrets and I think you see that with Jen, Amanda, Sam (Bennett) and Brittany (Eckett)."
Leading 5-3, Rider scored three times in the sixth inning, two runs on a triple by sophomore Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East). Paul had two hits in game two.
Lehigh (27-20) had three hits and scored once in the bottom of the seventh for the final score.
Also for the Broncs in the second game, freshman Ally Coryell (Ewing) had three hits and scored a run.
Freshman Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/GCIT) pitched the final four innings, recording one strikeout in relief of junior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) who went three innings with three strikeouts. Maronski, a two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week honoree, improved to 4-6 on the season.
In the opener, despite two hits each from Centeno and freshman Kehli Washington (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle), Rider lost 6-0.
Junior Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) went five innings, allowing only three earned runs, while recording three strikeouts.
Senior Sam Bennett (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) went the final inning for the Broncs, allowing one hit.
This was Rider's first win over Lehigh since the 2008 season. Last year, the Mountain Hawks won 8-6 in eight innings and 13-6 in Lawrenceville. Rider has won 32 of the 46 games all-time against Lehigh with the Mountain Hawks winning 11 of the last 20 meetings since 2001.
Rider travels to Riverdale, New York for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader against Manhattan Saturday.
"We have to show up and compete as we finish the remaining six conference games," Carroll added. "That is all I'm asking them to do."
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