College Softball – Liberty Classic
Princeton University 12, Rider University 7
Liberty University 9, Rider University 2

LYNCHBURG, Va.—The Rider University softball team lost twice on Thursday, the opening day of the Liberty Classic, hosted by the Flames in Lynchburg, Virginia, March 19-22.

Rider (4-8) lost in the opener to Princeton University and the Broncs were upended by the host Flames in the nightcap.

In game one against the Tigers, despite two home runs and five RBI from junior Dana Sensi (Allentown), the Broncs lost 12-7 as the Broncs left 10 runners on base and committed four errors.

“The two innings we gave up four runs hurt us,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We need to step up our game, we are very capable of playing better.  Seven runs normally will win a game but between errors, walks and hit by pitch, we gave away 11 runners on base.  That was disappointing.”

Rider jumped out to a 3-0, first inning lead when Sensi launched her second home run of the season, scoring freshman Toni Nino (Adelanto, Calif./Silverado) and junior Kim Valdes (Jupiter, Fla./King's Academy), both of whom had reached on walks.

Trailing 6-3 in the top of the second inning, Valdes hit an RBI single, scoring junior Amanda Crimarco (Levittown, N.Y./Kellenberg) who had singled with one out.

With Princeton leading 10-4, Rider scored twice in the top of the fourth inning, when Nino reached on a bunt single and Sensi took a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence cutting the Bronc deficit to six for her 99th career hit.

“Dana was excited about the home runs but disappointed in the losses,” Carroll said.  “Overall, we hit the ball hard in both games.”

Nino scored twice in the game.

Trailing 12-6, sophomore Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) hit a two out RBI single for the final score.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) lasted one inning, allowing six runs, all unearned as Rider made three errors in the opening inning.

Sophomore Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood) pitched the final five innings of relief, recording four strikeouts.

Also for Rider in the opener, senior Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) and junior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) each doubled.

In game two, Liberty jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead and never looked back, sending Rider to its fourth straight loss.

Senior Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) reached on an RBI fielder's choice in the top of the second inning, scoring Sensi who had reached on an error, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

Breeden now has 97 career hits.

Sensi reached on a fielding error in the top of the third inning, scoring who had singled, making the score 5-2.

Liberty used four hits to score four times in the bottom of the sixth inning for the final outcome.

DeMello worked a complete game in game two, scattering 11 hits and allowing all nine earned runs.

Rider stays in Virginia for games against Toledo and North Carolina Central on Friday.

“This is a great tournament in a beautiful stadium,” Carroll added.

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

-RU-