College Softball
Rider University 6, Coppin State University 1 / 6 innings (Darkness)

GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Rider University softball team picked up its first win of the 2014 season with a 6-1 decision over Coppin State on Saturday afternoon in a game that was stopped in the bottom of the sixth due to darkness.

Rider is down in North Carolina as part of the NC A&T Aggie Invitational and with having the afternoon off in the tournament schedule, picked up this game when Coppin State's tournament schedule changed due to wet field conditions at the North Carolina Central Eagle Invitational.

For Rider (1-3), freshman Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) picked up her first college win, throwing a six-inning complete game two hitter, allowing only one run while recording seven strikeouts.

“Kaitlyn pitched well,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We got her some offensive support and she kept us in the game.”

The Broncs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a home run from junior Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown).

After CSU tied the game in the top of the third, Rider re-took the lead in the bottom half with sophomore Dana Sensi (Allentown) hitting a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring freshman Morgan Benedetti (Ewing) who led off the inning with a bunt single.

Rider put the game away in the fifth inning, scoring four runs on four hits, with Benedetti hitting a run scoring double and Sensi hitting a two-run home run.

Sensi had three RBI in the game with Benedetti scoring twice.

Also for the Broncs, senior Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) and junior Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) each had two of Rider's nine hits.

Rider stays in Greensboro for games against Maryland Eastern Shore and the host Aggies of North Carolina A&T on Sunday.

The Broncs open the home schedule on March 30 against MAAC-rival Saint Peter's University at 1 p.m., at Herb and Joan Young Field.

-RU-