College Softball
Lehigh University 6, Rider University 0
Lehigh University 10, Rider University 4 / 6 innings (Darkness)

LAWRENCEVILLE—Lehigh University broke a 4-4 tie with six runs in the third inning of game two, all with two outs, sweeping the Rider University softball team on Wednesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.

The Mountain Hawks won 6-0 in the opener, throwing a three-hitter.

Trailing 4-0 in the first inning of game two, Rider (2-19) got a two-run single to right center field from junior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee), scoring sophomore Dana Sensi (Allentown) and sophomore Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) who had each reached on walks.

Rider tied the score 4-4 on an RBI single by freshman Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) and a sacrifice fly from Seni in the bottom of the second inning.

“We battled,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “In the second game we did give some at-bats away and we can't afford to do that but in the opener, we hit the ball hard but right at them.  That wasn't your typical three-hit shutout.”

Lehigh took a 4-0 lead in the first inning on back to back to back home runs off Bronc starter, sophomore Montana Berg (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista).  Berg lasted 2 2/3 innings.

“Lehigh is a good hitting team,” said Carroll.  “Montana was leaving some of her pitches a little too fat and they took advantage.  When her pitches are working, they are really pretty.  I think some of her drop pitches got too much of the zone.”

In the opener, Rider was held to a double by junior Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) and singles from junior Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) and sophomore Samantha Judd (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Westlake).

Lehigh (16-10) scored five times in the first inning off Rider starter DeMello as the Mountain Hawks had five hits including a two-run double in the frame.

“With the exception of the opening inning, Delany did a decent job,” Carroll said.  “You need to be ready from the bullpen to the mound to start games and especially against a strong team like Lehigh, we can't spot the opposing team runs like that.  I am proud of how she battled and shut them down; we just couldn't get her any runs to work with.”

Lehigh led off the fourth inning with a double and used a one out RBI single to plate an insurance run.

The Mountain Hawks opened the season 0-5 on a trip to Florida but have rebounded to win 16 of 21 games, including 12 in a row and 14 of 15 contests.

Rider has won 30 of the 49 games all-time against Lehigh.

Rider and Lehigh played a single game in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania last season with the Mountain Hawks winning 6-3.

Rider and Lehigh met on April 4, 2012, in Lawrenceville with Rider winning the opener 6-3 before losing 5-2.  The teams met on April 28, 2011 in Bethlehem with the Mountain Hawks winning the opener 6-0 and the Broncs taking the nightcap 8-4.

Rider has lost 15 straight.

Rider hosts Siena on Saturday in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader, beginning at 1:00pm.

“With conference play coming up, the learning time is over,” Carroll said about her young squad.  “These are the 20 games that matter (MAAC play) and opening with the first four at home (against Siena and Quinnipiac), we need to take advantage of that.  The team is a little frustrated but they have been great about continuing to work hard and they battle and support each other.  We are trying to keep each other positive as we enter conference play.  This point of the season is really what we play for.”

-RU-