College Softball
Rebel Spring Games
Rider University 2, Utah Valley University 2 / 7 innings (rain)
Rider / Akron - Rained Out
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--And the winner was...mother nature.
The Rider University softball team opened the first day of the Rebel Spring Games in Florida with a 2-2 tie against Utah Valley University on Sunday with the second game against the University of Akron rained out.
"I'm glad we got the game in but I would have liked to hold on and win that one," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "We were going to sit around and wait to play the international tiebreaker but the rain was too heavy."
In the opener against the Wolverines, Rider (2-9-1) jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead on a Utah Valley error, scoring sophomore Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) who had led off the game with a walk.
Washington reached on an error to lead off the third inning, stole second base and scored on an RBI single by freshman Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee), giving the Broncs a 2-0 lead.
"When Kehli puts the ball in play on the ground, she is dangerous," said Carroll. "She put pressure on the defense twice to lead off innings and scored both times. That's what we need her to do, use her speed by putting the ball in play."
Utah Valley scored two unearned runs to tie the game in the fourth inning for the final score.
Senior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown), the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week last week, recorded nine strikeouts with no earned runs while allowing only two hits.
"Rachael pitched well and Gina (McCool) made some nice plays on defense," Carroll said. "Utah Valley, I think got one ball out of the infield. Both teams had chances and it was a good game."
Play was called as the eighth inning was ready to begin due to rain.
"The freshmen overall are playing well and with more confidence," Carroll added. "And Rachael is playing with more confidence in her defense."
Rider plays Nebraska-Omaha and Youngstown State on Monday.
-RU-
