College Softball - Rebel Spring Games
Rider University 3, Wagner College 1
Howard University 1, Rider University 0
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Rider University softball team split two games on the final day of the Rebel Spring Games in Florida Saturday.
In the opener, Rider (5-14-1) got a complete game performance from senior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) who recorded seven strikeouts while throwing a two-hitter.
"We beat a very good Wagner team," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "Rachael pitched very well; she got us ground balls and pop ups."
Matreale, a two-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honoree, has all five of Rider's wins this season.
The Broncs took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on two errors and an RBI groundout by sophomore Ally Coryell (Ewing).
After the Seahawks cut the lead to 2-1, Rider scored an insurance run in the fifth inning on a double by freshman Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) and an RBI single from junior Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton).
"Offensively, we did better," Carroll said. "While I was concerned in the one inning where we got four hits and only one run, I was happy overall with the at-bats and the energy was good."
In the second game against Howard, the Bison broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning with a triple and RBI single for the only score of the contest.
"I was disappointed about the Howard game," said Carroll. "I think we should have done better with the opportunities that we had. We loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth inning and didn't get anything. Give Howard credit, they made the plays they needed to make."
Senior Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) started and went five innings, allowing only one hit while recording one strikeout.
Sophomore Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/Gloucester County Inst. of Technology)
took the loss, allowing three hits while recording one strikeout in her two innings of work.
"Kelsey and Krysti both pitched well and we expect to win games when we allow only one run," Carroll added.
Senior Samantha Mayer (Neptune) had two of Rider's six hits in game two.
Rider won three of nine games (one tie) on the trip to Florida.
"I think we are better today than when we started the week and that was the goal," Carroll said. "I think we could have gotten one or two more wins, we seemed to be one play or one hit away a few times in three of the losses. Overall, I like this group, they work hard and love to play the game."
The Broncs went 0-2 in one-run games on the trip and split two extra inning games to go along with the opening day tie against Utah Valley that was going into the eighth inning when rain halted play.
Rider travels to Saint Joseph's for a non-conference doubleheader on March 21 at 3pm in East Norriton, Pennsylvania.
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