College Softball
Rider University 3, Monmouth University 1
Monmouth University 12, Rider University 9
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

LAWRENCEVILLE—Behind a complete game four-hitter from sophomore Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville), the Rider University softball team defeated Monmouth University 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in the 2015 home opener, splitting a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and hOURglass rivalry doubleheader.

Monmouth won the nightcap 12-9, despite career hit number 100 from senior Allysen Breeden (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown).

“We can hit the ball and score runs and we are never going to be out of it as long as there is still an out remaining,” said head coach Tricia Carroll who picked up career win 395 at Rider.  “The first game, we played hard and were dedicated.  The second game, we hit well and Monmouth gave us a lot of extra bases and we showed we could fight.  We are pretty good, especially offensively.  And the pitching will keep us in games.”

In the opener, trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, sophomore Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood) reached on a dropped fly ball and after another Hawk fielding error, senior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) singled up the middle, scoring pinch runner freshman Toni Nino (Adelanto, Calif./Silverado) tying the game 1-1.

Breeden followed with a two-run single, her 99th career hit to give Rider (6-13, 1-1 MAAC) a 3-1 lead, more than enough for DeMello who recorded four strikeouts.

Monmouth used two of its four hits to take a 1-0 first inning lead with DeMello retiring 12 Hawk batters in a row from the third through the sixth innings to keep Rider in the game.

“Delany and the rest of the pitchers, if our pitchers can get us four to five strikeouts in the game, that's great,” Carroll said.  “Delany didn't make very many mistakes and got ground balls and pop ups and allowed the defense to work behind her.  She pitched well and kept Monmouth off balance.  She hit spots.”

“It was rough at the beginning but the defense made some really good plays and that helps keep us in it,” DeMello said.  “The offense didn't pick up until the sixth inning so that was a little nerve racking but when that started happening, it was really good.”

In the second game, Monmouth (5-12, 1-1 MAAC) pounded out 15 hits to split the two-game set that was originally scheduled on Saturday and postponed due to cold and wet field conditions.

Junior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) hit an RBI single in the first inning to give Rider a 1-0 lead.

Trailing 6-1, Breeden hit a two-run home run for career hit 100, cutting the deficit to three runs in the bottom of the fourth, becoming the second Bronc this season and 49th Rider softball player in 38 seasons to reach that plateau.

“Reaching 100 hits feels good,” Breeden said.  “Last season it kind of just wasn't working for me so I'm glad to come back strong this year and for it to be a home run, that was awesome.”

Junior Dana Sensi (Allentown) followed with what was thought to be a home run of her own before umpires ruled that her shot to left centerfield hit the top of the fence and caromed back onto the field.  The now two-run double brought Rider to within one at 6-5.

Monmouth responded with one run in the top of the fifth inning and three more runs in the top of the sixth inning before Cottrell launched her fourth home run of the season, sending a grand slam well over the outfield fence and bringing the Broncs to within one run for the second time in the game.

“We are giving up some extra bases when we don't need to,” Carroll said about some of the plays that led to Monmouth tacking on insurance runs.  “Hitting the cut off and keeping a double play in order, first and third is easier to work with than second and third.  We have to take what the game gives us.”

Cottrell finished with five RBI in the game and she and McDonough each had two of Rider's seven hits in the second contest.

“Our lineup is really tough from top to bottom,” Breeden said about the team and its come back ability.  “There isn't really anyone you can pitch around and we are always putting runners on base.  I'm excited for us.”

McDonough went five and one-third innings in the circle, scattering 11 hits and allowing nine runs, seven earned.

The Hawks scored two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning, making the score 12-9 and Rider was retired in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.

With the doubleheader split, Rider has already matched its win total from the 2014 season.

“The team is working great,” Breeden added.  “We all get along very well and that has a lot to do with the chemistry on the field.  Now that the pitchers have a year of college experience under their belt, you can really see the difference.”

“Compared to last season, we have all matured,” DeMello said.  “Working together, I think we can be successful.”

Last season, Rider split two games with Monmouth, losing in the opener 5-0 before scoring a 6-5 victory in West Long Branch, after trailing 5-4 in the top of the seventh inning.

Monmouth defeated Rider 11-3 in 2013.  The Hawks swept Rider in 2011 in West Long Branch, 4-3 and 3-0.  In 2010, the Broncs split a doubleheader, winning the opener 2-1 in West Long Branch, the first Rider win over the Hawks since 2005.  Former Northeast Conference rivals, Monmouth and Rider have met 50 times on the softball diamond with the Broncs winning 29.  Monmouth swept two games in Lawrenceville in 2009.

Since Rider, Saint Peter's and Monmouth are all about an hour from each other the three-way rivalry between the three New Jersey MAAC teams is called the hOURglass Rivalry. The spelling is to emphasis the fact that it is OUR rivalry.

Rider travels to MAAC preseason favorite Marist College on Monday afternoon at 2pm for a conference doubleheader.

“We are competitive,” Carroll added.  “Teams won't be able to ignore us.  We've been hitting pretty well all year and now having a bunch of games in a row, hopefully the bats can stay hot.  Long breaks are when the bats cool off so we are hoping to go up there and be a dangerous team.  We know we have the talent.”

-RU-