College Softball
Princeton University 4, Rider University 0
Princeton University 3, Rider University 1

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University softball team lost a non-conference doubleheader to Mercer County rival Princeton on Tuesday afternoon, in the 2014 home opener at Herb and Joan Young Field.

“I thought they were two good games,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “I thought both Megan's (Ailand and McDonough) pitched well in recording complete games.”

In the opener, Rider (2-17) was no-hit through five innings and held to two singles in the loss.

Freshman Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) allowed only five hits to the Tigers but gave up a three-run home run to nine hitter Kate Miller in the fifth inning that opened Princeton's lead to 4-0.

“That was Megan's first start,” Carroll said.  “She did a great job.”

The Tigers scored a run in the first inning with two outs on a double and RBI single.

Freshman Amanda Crimarco (Levittown, N.Y./Kellenberg) and junior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) each had hits for the Broncs in game one.

The nightcap saw a solid pitching effort from freshman Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood) who threw a complete game, allowing five hits with one strikeout.

Rider broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) hit her second home run of the season, a solo shot to centerfield with one out.

Princeton tied the game 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning on a home run and took a 2-1 lead in the same frame on a wild pitch.

The Tigers hit a home run to centerfield to lead off the top of the seventh inning for the final score.

“I thought Megan (McDonough) did a nice job as well and more importantly, looked confident,” Carroll said.  “I couldn't see if the home run pitches were a mistake or if Princeton just went out and hit a good pitch.  It's frustrating because I think our pitching has been keeping us in games and the batting order just needs to come around.  We had some nice hit balls that didn't drop.”

Sophomore Dana Sensi (Allentown) had two of Rider's five hits in the second game.

“Credit Princeton's pitching too,” Carroll said.  “We need to make adjustments a little better than we did.  The hitting has been a challenge.  Our pitching has been pretty good and the defense has been pretty solid as well and has done a nice job so we need the hitting to come around like we know it can.”

Although only separated by seven miles along Route 206 in Mercer County, this is the first time since May 1, 2007 that Princeton and Rider have met in softball.

Rider and Princeton almost met this season (March 8) in Salem, Virginia but those games were cancelled by snow.

The teams have played 57 games since the series began in 1978 with Rider winning 15 times.  The Broncs last won over the Tigers on May 4, 2004 when Rider took the second game of a doubleheader, 6-3 after losing the opener 7-4 in 10 innings.

The Tigers have won eight straight over Rider.

Rider has lost 13 in a row.

The Broncs continue on an eight-game home stand with a doubleheader against Lehigh on Wednesday, beginning at 3:00 p.m.

“Lehigh is a great team,” Carroll said.  “For a bunch of the past seasons, they have won 40 or more games.  They are the power house in the Patriot League.  We need to show up and compete as we prepare for the conference.  The team is competing and working hard and we need to just stay after it.”

-RU-