College Softball
Niagara University 1, Rider University 0 / 8 innings
Niagara University 6, Rider University 2
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y.—The Rider University softball team was swept on Sunday afternoon in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Niagara University.

In the opener, despite a complete game three-hitter from freshman Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville), Rider (5-38, 3-13 MAAC) was held to just two hits in the 1-0, extra inning shutout.

“The first game was great,” said head coach Tricia Carroll who saw her squad fall to 2-7 in one-run games.  “It was just unfortunate that we were on the back end of a 1-0 score.”

Niagara broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the eighth inning after a leadoff walk, followed by a fielder's choice, sacrifice bunt and infield hit to plate the only run of the game.

Rider was held to a first inning single by sophomore Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) and a second inning single from junior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) with the last 20 Bronc batters retired in a row by Purple Eagle pitcher Jennifer Sansano.

In the second game, Rider took a 1-0 first inning lead on an RBI double from sophomore Dana Sensi (Allentown), scoring senior Kehli Washington (Lulea, Sweden/New Rochelle) who led off the game with a single.

“The second game started off well,” Carroll said.  “We had a runner in scoring position and Dana had a nice hit to drive in a run.”

Washington and Sensi each had two of Rider's seven hits in the second game.

Niagara used an RBI double and a two-run home run to score three times in the bottom of the third inning as the Purple Eagles took a 3-1 lead.

The Purple Eagles used an RBI double and RBI single with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning to increase their lead to 5-1 off freshman starter Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood).

McDonough went 4 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and five runs.

Cottrell hit her second home run of the weekend and fifth of the season, leading off the top of the sixth inning, cutting the Niagara lead to 5-2.

“Emily had another home run today,” Carroll added.  “Overall the defense was solid but we just left too many runners in scoring position.”

A walk, hit by pitch, walk and RBI single gave Niagara an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, increasing the Purple Eagle lead back to four runs (6-2).

Last season, Rider lost to Niagara in Lawrenceville 5-1 and 9-1.

In 2012, the Purple Eagles took the Broncs out of playoff contention on the last conference weekend with a pair of 12 innings games, defeating Rider 1-0 and 5-4.

The Purple Eagles have won 23 of the 38 games in the series, including the last 10 in a row. 

In 2011, Niagara won 12-0 and 12-4 in Lawrenceville.  Niagara blanked Rider twice in 2010 (8-0, 12-0).  The teams split in Lawrenceville in 2009 with Niagara winning 5-1 in the opener and Rider 3-1 in the nightcap.

Rider has lost six in a row and 12 of 13 games.

Weather permitting, Rider hosts La Salle in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday at Herb and Joan Young Field.

-RU-