Softball 4/15/2015 10:49:00 PM Rider Sports Information

Rider Swept at Delaware

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

College Softball

University of Delaware 5, Rider University 1

University of Delaware 2, Rider University 1

NEWARK, Del.—The Rider University softball team was held to four hits over two games and lost a non-conference doubleheader at Delaware on Wednesday afternoon.

In the opener, Rider (8-24) was held to two hits in a 5-1 loss and the Broncs were again held to two hits, including only one after the opening inning in a 2-1 loss in the nightcap.

“It was two competitive games,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “Both pitchers threw well.”

In game one, Delaware (23-15) hit a three-run home run in the first inning and the Blue Hens used an RBI double in the fourth inning for a four-run lead.

Freshman Jayme Zeilman (Newfield/Delsea Regional) went all six innings for the Broncs, scattering 10 hits while allowing five earned runs.

“Jayne pitched well but gave up two home runs,” Carroll said. “The three-run home run in the first inning was hard to come back from.”

Rider got its only run in the top of the fifth inning senior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) singled up the middle for the first Bronc hit of the day. After a walk and sacrifice bunt, junior Montana Berg (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) singled up the middle with two outs, scoring freshman pinch runner Toni Nino (Adelanto, Calif./Silverado).

Delaware out-hit the Broncs 10-2 in the opener.

In game two, Nino walked and stole second with McCool hitting an RBI single to left field to give Rider a 1-0 lead. McCool had two of Rider's four hits on the day.

Delaware responded with back to back doubles to lead off the fourth inning off starter, sophomore Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) to tie the game 1-1 and the Blue Hens took a one-run lead with a one-out double and a two-out RBI single.

Ailand threw a six inning complete game, allowing only five hits but four of the hits were for extra bases.

“Megan pitched well,” Carroll said. “Certainly well enough to win.”

Despite batting 4 for 44 in the doubleheader (.091), Rider had a chance to escape with a split but left the tying run on third base after junior Dana Sensi (Allentown) led off the seventh inning with a double.

Rider's leading hitter entering the doubleheader at .400, Sensi was held to a 1 for 6 day.

Former East Coast Conference rivals, Rider and Delaware have now met 57 times with the Blue Hens holding a 38-18-1 series lead, including winning the last eight in a row.

Delaware swept Rider this season, on April 1, at Herb and Joan Young Field, 10-0 and 11-3.

The Blue Hens won twice in 2014 in Lawrenceville (12-4, 3-1) and Delaware defeated Rider in Newark, Delaware 2-0 in 2013.

Rider and Delaware split two games in 2012 with the Broncs winning 4-0 in the opener and the Blue Hens taking the nightcap 4-1 in Lawrenceville. During the 2011 season, the teams met in Newark when the Blue Hens won 4-1 in a rain-shortened game.

The teams met in Lawrenceville in 2010 with Delaware winning 6-5 before the teams tied 4-4 in the nightcap. Delaware won twice by 2-0 scores in Newark in 2009 and won 9-2 and 3-2 in Lawrenceville in 2008.

The Broncs look to snap a six-game losing streak when Rider hosts Fairfield University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at 1pm.

The Broncs will celebrate Alumni Recognition Day and it will also be Fan Appreciation Day at Herb and Joan Young Field.

-RU-

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Players Mentioned

#22 Gina McCool: SS; 5' 4"; Freshman

#7 Montana Berg: P/1B; 5' 6"; Freshman

#2 Dana Sensi: INF; 5' 6"; Freshman

#18 Megan Ailand: P; 5' 6"; Freshman

#1 Toni Nino: OF; 5' 6"; Freshman

#34 Jayme Zeilman: P/OF; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Gina McCool
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: SS

#7 Montana Berg
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: P/1B

#2 Dana Sensi
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: INF

#18 Megan Ailand
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: P

#1 Toni Nino
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: OF

#34 Jayme Zeilman
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: P/OF