College Softball
Fairfield University 8, Rider University 0 / 6 innings
Fairfield University 8, Rider University 0 / 5 innings
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Doubleheader

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—The Rider University softball team was held to three hits combined as the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Fairfield University on Saturday.

“Today was a bad day,” said head coach Tricia Carroll who saw her Broncs lose for the fifth time in a row and the 22nd time in 23 games.  “We could not get anything going offensively.  It is frustrating because we know we have better bats and we should have put up a better fight.”

In the opener, Rider (3-26, 1-5 MAAC) was held to one hit, a lead-off single by junior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) on an 0-2 count.

The Stags broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning on a solo home run to left field.

Fairfield strung together three hits in a row in the third inning, including back to back doubles, the last a two run shot to left centerfield as the Stags pushed their lead to 3-0.

The Stags had four of their 13 hits in the fifth inning, scoring three times, the big hit a two run single through the left side and Fairfield led 6-0 after five innings.

Fairfield made it back to back four hit innings, scoring twice in the sixth frame to end the contest on the eight run mercy rule.

“Give Fairfield credit,” said Carroll.  “They were aggressive and got the job done.”

Freshman Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) threw all 5 1/3 innings for Rider, recording two strikeouts in 117 pitches.

Rae Ball spun the one-hitter for the Stags with one strikeout and also homered.

The second game was very much like the first with Stag pitchers Rebecca Trott and Lauren Falkanger combining on a two hit shutout that took 58 minutes.

McCool and sophomore Montana Berg (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) each had singles for Rider, with McCool reaching base safely for the sixth straight game.

Fairfield pulled away early in the nightcap, scoring six times on six hits and one Rider error.

The Stags plated a run in the third inning on a Rider error and used a hit by pitch, single and sacrifice fly to push the lead to 8-0 with the game ending on the mercy rule after 4 1/2 innings.

Freshman Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) went the distance for Rider, recording two strikeouts in the 89 pitch effort.

Fairfield swept Rider in 2013 by 13-4 and 13-1 scores.  In 2012, Rider was swept at Fairfield, 1-0 and 7-2.  Fairfield swept Rider in Lawrenceville in 2011, winning 3-0 and 5-2 in eight innings.  Fairfield and Rider have met 38 times in a series that began in 1998 with the Broncs winning nine times.  Rider last defeated the Stags in 2010, sweeping a MAAC doubleheader in Connecticut 2-0 (eight innings) and 12-2 in the final games of the 2010 season.

Rider hosts Marist College on Sunday at 1:00 p.m., at Herb and Joan Young Field in Lawrenceville.

The doubleheader against the Red Foxes has been designated Alumni and Fan Appreciation day.

“Marist will be tough on Sunday,” Carroll added.  “I know we will be ready for the challenge.”

-RU-