College Softball
NC A&T 'Blue-Gold' Tournament
Drexel University 2, Rider University 1
Rider University 8, Norfolk State University 1

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Junior Dana Sensi (Allentown) had a triple and home run, knocking in four runs in game two as the Rider University softball team split two games on the final day of the North Carolina A&T 'Blue-Gold' Tournament on Sunday.

Rider (4-4) won against Norfolk State University by a score of 8-1 after losing to Drexel University 2-1 on Sunday morning.

For the Broncs in game two against NSU, sophomore Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) tossed a complete game, recording four strikeouts, while scattering five hits to record the victory.

Rider jumped out to a three-run first inning lead when Sensi hit a two-run triple with senior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) following with an RBI single to centerfield.

DeMello was credited with an RBI in the second inning, reaching on a ground ball to third with Sensi launching her first home run of the season to give the Broncs a 6-0 lead.

“The hitters looked comfortable against NSU,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “Gina continues to come up big and Dana's home run is still somewhere over Greensboro.  It was a good day overall.”

Sensi had three hits for the weekend and now has 96 in her Rider career and McCool led Rider with a .600 batting average in the tournament.

McCool hit a two-run double in the fourth inning to give the Broncs an 8-0 margin before NSU (1-10) hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning for the final score.

McCool went four for four with a double in the nightcap, pacing the Rider offense that pounded out 11 hits.

Also for Rider in game two, senior Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) had two hits, stole two bases and scored twice.

In the opening game, despite two hits including a triple from freshman Monica Clark (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and a complete game effort from sophomore Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood), the Broncs lost 2-1 to Drexel.

McDonough scattered 10 hits and allowed two earned runs while recording one strikeout.

“Both Delany and Morgan did a nice job limiting the offense with their pitching,” Carroll said.  “The defense was also solid, we didn't make an error all day.”

Rider cut a 2-0 deficit in half in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single by DeMello.  DeMello had two hits and scored twice on Sunday and she batted .333 in the tournament.

“We had chances against Drexel but couldn't push across the tying run,” Carroll added.

Rider stays in North Carolina to face Elon University on Tuesday before traveling to Virginia for the seven-game Liberty Classic March 19-22.

Rider's home opener is scheduled for March 25 when the Broncs host Fairleigh Dickinson University for a non-conference doubleheader at Herb and Joan Young Field, beginning at 3pm.