College Softball
University at Albany 14, Rider University 3 / 5 innings
Columbia University 6, Rider University 0
KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Rider University softball team was swept on day four at the Rebel Spring Games in Florida Tuesday afternoon.
The Broncs lost to the Great Danes of Albany 14-3 and to the Lions of Columbia 6-0.
In the opener, junior Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) had two hits, including a double but Rider could not overcome three errors, including two that sparked a 12-run second inning for Albany.
"We made some changes on defense and that took a couple of innings to settle in," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "We are struggling to get timely hits but they will come and I know we will keep at it."
Trailing 14-0, Rider (3-19) scored three times in the third inning, including a two-run single by freshman Dana Sensi (Allentown) and an RBI single from Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South).
Freshman Ali Meagher (Clark/Arthur L. Johnson) allowed only two earned runs in five innings, scattering 12 hits.
In the second game, the Broncs lost to Columbia for the second time on the trip as Rider was held to five hits, two by senior Heather Muscara (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham).
Columbia hit a solo home run in the top of the first for a 1-0 lead.
Leading 2-0, Columbia iced the game in the seventh inning with a grand slam for the final score.
Red-shirt freshman Krista Morrone (Pipersville, Pa./Palisades) took the loss, allowing nine hits and all six runs in seven innings.
"Krista pitched ok," Carroll said. "She got into a little trouble in the seventh inning and their timely hit wound up being a grand slam. We know we have to create our own breaks and we know we have the talent to accomplish that."
The Broncs play Green Bay in a doubleheader Wednesday.
Rider heads back north and will face Army Sunday, March 24 at West Point.
The Broncs return home on March 26 for a doubleheader against Hartford at 2:30pm, at Herb and Joan Young Field.
"We have two games on Wednesday and two more doubleheaders before conference play begins," Carroll added. Everything we do is in preparation for the conference and we will be ready."
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