College Softball
Stony Brook University 8, Rider University 0
6 innings
Stony Brook University 3, Rider University 1
STONY BROOK, N.Y.--The Rider University softball team was swept at Stony Brook University on Monday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader.
In the nightcap, senior Rachael Matreale (Williamstown) recorded seven strikeouts (no walks) and retired eight of the first nine batters she faced but lost 3-1 after giving up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
"Rachael threw a great game," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "A couple of errors late gave Stony Brook the lead. I'm encouraged that we hung tough and kept fighting."
Junior Alyssa Paul (Toms River/Toms River HS East) hit an RBI single in the third inning, scoring junior Heather Muscara (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) who had walked, putting the Broncs ahead 1-0.
The Seawolves bunched together five of their seven hits in the second game in the decisive sixth inning and added a stolen base and used a Rider error to score three times for the final score.
Stony Brook (24-9) pitching retired the last seven Broncs in order to preserve the win.
"We had solid contact throughout the second game," Carroll said. "We couldn't get much to drop or force Stony Brook to make any mistakes. They (Stony Brook) played great defense all day."
Also for the Broncs in game two, freshman Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) had a double to lead off the second inning.
The Broncs entered the game with a perfect 8-0 record when leading after five innings.
Rider (13-22-1) was held to just two hits in the opener, losing 8-0.
Senior Kelsey Krisch (Parker, Colo./Council Rock HS North) pitched for the Broncs in game one, recording one strikeout.
"Kelsey pitched well in spots but couldn't contain Stony Brook's big bats," said Carroll.
The first eight Broncs were retired in order before Krisch singled to shortstop in the third inning with sophomore Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) following with an infield hit of her own, all with two outs. The Seawolves worked out of the jam, getting a ground out to end the inning.
Washington had two of Rider's six hits on the day.
Stony Brook jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning on a two out, two-run single up middle and another two out hit in the second inning put the Seawolves ahead 3-0.
Four hits and two errors plated two runs (one unearned) for the Seawolves in the third inning and four hits, including three in a row with a Rider error to open the sixth inning gave Stony Brook the 8-0 winning margin on the mercy rule.
Rider split two games in Lawrenceville against Stony Brook last season, winning the opener 9-6 before losing the nightcap 7-3. Rider has won six of the 12 games all-time against the Seawolves. Stony Brook swept the Broncs in New York in 2010 by scores of 2-1 and 10-1 and the Seawolves have won three straight in the series.
Rider hosts Delaware on Wednesday at Herb and Joan Young Field in a non-conference doubleheader at 3pm.
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