College Softball
Manhattan College 1, Rider University 0
Manhattan College 6, Rider University 3
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
RIVERDALE, N.Y.--Despite out-hitting the Manhattan Jaspers in both games of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader, Rider lost twice on Saturday.
In the opener, Rider held a 6-4 hit advantage but lost 1-0.
"The first game was an awesome well played game by both teams," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "We competed and we were scrappy."
Manhattan (20-20, 7-3 MAAC) scored its lone run on a two-out single down the left field line in the second inning.
Junior Lucy Higgins (Westminster, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) hit a one-out single in the seventh inning, her second hit of the game and senior Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) doubled as Rider attempted to tie the score. Manhattan pitcher Melissa Donnelly retired the next two batters, one via strikeout, her third strikeout of the day.
Junior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) threw a complete game, allowing four hits while recording four strikeouts.
"Rachael pitched great," Carroll said.
In game two, Rider again out-hit the Jaspers 7-5 but found themselves on the losing end of a 6-3 score.
Rider scored once in the first inning on a double play ground out and used a Jasper throwing error to score once in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.
The Jaspers worked a walk and tied the game on a two-run home run in the fourth inning, their first hit of the game after Bronc freshman Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/GCIT) retired the first 10 batters she faced. Maronski went five innings with four strikeouts and allowed only three hits before Matreale relieved her in the sixth.
"Krysti had a good game," Carroll said. "She threw the ball well."
Rider took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on an RBI single by sophomore Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East), scoring senior Jen Steward (Haddon Twp.). Steward and Paul each had two hits in game two with Steward doubling and scoring twice.
The Jaspers tied the game in the sixth inning on an RBI single and took a 4-3 lead on a wild pitch. Manhattan eventually scored four times in the sixth on only three hits.
"It was a couple of little plays that cost us in game two," Carroll said. "I'm proud of the players, they are still showing up but the second game was a bummer."
Also for Rider in game two, Eckett and sophomore Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton) doubled.
Rider and Manhattan split two games in Lawrenceville in 2010 with the Broncs winning 7-5 after losing 12-0 in the opener. The Broncs and Jaspers have now met 28 times with Rider winning 14. In 2009, the teams split two MAAC games in Riverdale, New York. In 2008 and 2007, the teams also split their two conference games. Manhattan swept Rider in 2006 and 2005 and the teams split in 2004.
Rider (8-34, 1-12 MAAC) hosts Iona (21-17, 7-3 MAAC) in a conference doubleheader at Herb and Joan Young Field on Sunday at 1pm. The Gaels swept Maine in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, 2-1 and 4-2.
"We are still working hard and the players want to play," Carroll said. "They are trying to finish the year strong and get better for next year and we except that to continue through the final four games of the season. It is a positive that we are competing and that
we won't be a push over."
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