College Softball – Liberty Classic
Kent State University 13, Rider University 0 / 5 innings
St. Francis (Pa.) University 4, Rider University 1

LYNCHBURG, Va.—The Rider University softball team lost twice on Saturday at the Liberty Classic, held in Lynchburg, Virginia.

In the opener, the Broncs lost to Kent State 13-0 and in the nightcap Rider (4-11) was defeated by St. Francis (Pa.) 4-1

Against Kent State, Rider was held to two hits, singles by Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) and junior Dana Sensi (Allentown).

Sophomore Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) went all five innings, allowing 10 earned runs while recording one strikeout.

“Kent State is a team that beat Michigan and is very talented,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “We tried to keep them off balance by throwing Ailand who is more of a junk ball pitcher but it didn't work out very well.”

Against the Red Flash, Sensi had two of Rider's six hits.

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning, junior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) hit her third home run of the season, making the score 3-1.

“Emily's home run was great,” said Carroll.

St. Francis (Pa.) hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning for the final score.

Freshman Jayme Zeilman (Newfield/Delsea Regional) pitched a six inning complete game, allowing three earned runs, scattering seven hits.

“Zeilman pitched well enough to win,” Carroll said.  “We couldn't push any runs across.  We made a couple of running errors that cost us opportunities to score.”

Rider faces North Carolina Central in the final game of the tournament on Sunday at 2pm.

“This group is talented and fun to coach,” Carroll added.  “The last game of the break is Sunday and we are looking to finish strong.”

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-