College Softball
Monmouth University 4, Rider University 3
Monmouth University 3, Rider University 0
WEST LONG BRANCH--The Rider University softball team lost a non-conference doubleheader at Monmouth University on Wednesday afternoon.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't at least win the first game," said head coach Tricia Carroll about losing a 3-1 lead in the last inning. "We had a good chance to win the game and it didn't happen."
In the opener, Rider broke a scoreless tie in the third inning on a walk by freshman Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster), two sacrifice bunt fielder's choice plays and a Monmouth error.
Freshman Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) had Rider's first hit of the game, a single to left center field with two outs in the sixth inning and after a Monmouth error, sophomore Lisa Blanton (Hilliard, Fla./Hilliard) followed with a two-run double to give Rider a 3-0 lead.
"I thought we had some good at-bats and made some things happen," Carroll said.
Monmouth used two hits, including an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Bronc lead to 3-1 and the Hawks used four hits and a Rider error to plate three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the final score.
Sophomore Krysti Maronski (Woodbury Heights/GCIT) threw a complete game, scattering 12 hits and recording three strikeouts.
"Krysti pitched well enough to win," said Carroll.
In the nightcap, despite matching the Hawk hit total with seven, Rider (18-27-1) lost to Monmouth (20-18) 3-0.
McCool, sophomore Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) and junior Sam Pugh (Elkton, Md./Elkton) each had two hits for the Broncs in game two.
Monmouth scored single runs in the first, second and third innings for the final score.
Senior Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) took the loss, working six innings with five strikeouts, allowing three runs, two earned.
"Kelsey pitched well in the second game," Carroll said. "Giving up only a couple of runs (one unearned) against Monmouth is a pretty good effort. Our offense stalled too many times with runners in scoring position."
Rider and Monmouth last met in 2010 when the Broncs split a doubleheader, winning the opener 2-1 in West Long Branch, the first Rider win over the Hawks since 2005. Former Northeast Conference rivals, Monmouth and Rider have now met 45 times on the softball diamond with the Broncs winning 27. Monmouth swept two games in Lawrenceville in 2009.
Rider hosts Siena on Saturday at Herb and Joan Young Field for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at 1pm.
In between games on Saturday, Rider will honor its graduating softball class of 2012, seniors Rachael Matreale (Williamstown), Krisch, Lucy Higgins (Westminster, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) and Samantha Mayer (Neptune).
"I think we are ready for the four games this weekend in the conference," Carroll said about the Saints on Saturday and traveling to Fairfield on Sunday. "We have to take one pitch at a time against Siena and score some runs when we have the opportunity."
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