College Softball
Villanova University 9, Rider University 2

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University softball team lost a non-conference game to Villanova University 9-2 on Thursday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.

For Rider (3-24), freshman Josettee Spencer (Hillsborough) made her first career start and in her first career at-bat, homered to left field, cutting the Rider deficit to 3-1 in the third inning.

“That was the greatest feeling ever,” said Spencer who appeared in 13 games this season as a pinch runner, scoring three times entering today's contest.  “I just got up there, cleared my mind and tried not to over think things.  You visualize moments like that.  I've had some travel ball home runs but I'm glad I had a memorable first at-bat in college.”

Trailing 9-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning and down to the final out due to the eight-run mercy rule, freshman Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) hit an RBI single, scoring freshman Amanda Crimarco (Levittown, N.Y./Kellenberg) who reached on an error and advanced to second base on a passed ball.

Rider left 12 runners on base.

“It's been the same thing,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We are clearly getting people on base and then not getting that one big hit.  We are trying to keep each at-bat simple and have the players stay within themselves and know what they can do.  This game is so mental.  You are in the batters box on your own, pitching on your own and fielding on your own.”

Villanova (12-22) hit a run scoring double to right centerfield in the first inning and the Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second with a two out RBI triple.

The Wildcats used a one out double and an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0 in the third inning.

Leading 3-1, the Wildcats plated three runs on four hits, including a solo home run and two run scoring singles, one via a squeeze play to extend their lead to 6-1 in the top of the fourth inning.

Villanova put together a two out rally in the top of the sixth inning, capped off by an RBI single and a two-run double, extending its lead to 9-1.

DeMello, who went one for three at the plate, threw five innings, and allowed nine of Villanova's 14 hits while giving up six earned runs to pick up the loss.

Also for Rider, sophomore Kim Valdes (Jupiter, Fla./King's Academy) had two of Rider's seven hits.

Villanova has defeated Rider all seven times in the series that began in 2001.

Before today's game, the teams last met as part of a tournament, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania when the Wildcats won 5-1 on March 24, 2012.

Rider travels to Fairfield University on Saturday for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader.

“This team will be ready for the weekend,” Carroll said.  “They are frustrated but they continue to work hard and do all the things I'm asking them to do.  I certainly want success for them.  Fairfield is always good and if we play our game and get some runs across, the games are certainly winnable.”

-RU-