College Softball
University of Akron 7, Rider University 3
Cornell University 2, Rider University 0
Patriot Classic
FAIRFAX, Va.--The Rider University softball team lost twice on the final day of the Patriot Classic Sunday afternoon.
"Overall, it was a better weekend than the opening games of the season," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "We still have to cut down on our walks but we did some encouraging things this weekend, things that we can build on."
In the opener for Rider (1-8), the Broncs jumped out to a 2-0 second inning lead on an RBI single by freshman Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) who later scored on an error by the Zips.
Akron halved the Rider lead in the third inning on a one-out double and a fielder's choice RBI and the Zips put together four hits and a walk to plate five runs in the fifth to open up a 6-2 lead.
"We had a couple of plays in the opening game where we missed a cut off and a runner would move up or some other things happened that we could control and we want to tighten those little things up," Carroll said. "We gave away a couple of runs that we really didn't need to."
Breeden had her second hit of the game in the sixth inning, an RBI single that brought the Broncs to within 6-3 before Akron had two more hits, adding a run in the bottom of the sixth for the final score.
"We finished the game with the bases loaded and hung tough," Carroll said. "We did some good things but at the end of the day, you want to pick up the win."
Each team had nine hits in the game.
Also for the Broncs in the opener, junior Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East) had two hits including a triple and scored twice.
Sophomore Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/G.C.I.T.) went the distance for the Broncs, scattering nine hits while recording three strikeouts.
"Krysti did well but had too many walks," Carroll said. "With the level of competition we are facing, they are good enough without giving them extra base runners."
The Broncs were held to two hits and were shutout by Cornell 2-0 in the night cap.
For Rider, senior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) recorded seven strikeouts but allowed four walks in a complete game effort.
"The second game was a great softball game by both teams," Carroll said. "I love games like that. It was unfortunate about the number of walks. We fought and kept trying and a runner got thrown out at the plate. It was a good, hard fought game. They capitalized early and we didn't."
The Big Red started the game with two walks in the first inning and scored twice on an RBI single and a wild pitch for the only scoring in the game.
Breeden and senior Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) each had singles for the Broncs.
Breeden, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for all games the opening week of the season, continued her strong play, batting .636 in the four-game tournament with seven hits, including a double and a home run while scoring three times along with seven RBI.
"We are very pleased with her start to the season," Carroll said. "She also caught the first game today and did a nice job with that. She is coachable and tries to do all of the things we ask her to do. Opponents don't want to pitch to her right now and that's going to help the rest of the lineup."
Breeden leads the Broncs in hitting with a .458 average (11/24) and is currently on a five-game hitting streak.
"We played better this weekend," said Carroll. "Compared to last weekend (at UNC Greensboro), I think we proved to ourselves that we can play better."
Rider's 2012 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday against Drexel with the first game of the doubleheader at 2pm at Herb and Joan Young Field.
"Drexel is a tough Colonial Athletic Association team," said Carroll. "We already lost to them twice last weekend (7-0, 12-0) but I think we've taken steps to improve since then (late February). They are very good (power and speed) and are going to be a tough matchup. I think we are more composed and will be able to give them a better game."
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