College Softball
Villanova University 6, Rider University 3
Villanova University 6, Rider University 2

VILLANOVA, Pa.—The Rider University softball team lost a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday afternoon at Villanova.

For Rider (8-20), senior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) had three hits including a double.

“We hit the ball hard today,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.

In the opener, trailing 5-0, McCool hit a run scoring double, cutting the deficit to 5-1 with the Broncs taking advantage of a two-run Wildcat error in the outfield to get to within two.
 
McCool had two of Rider's six hits in the opener.

“We were able to piece some hits together in the opening game,” said Carroll.

Sophomore Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood) pitched the opening three innings, allowing three earned runs while recording two strikeouts.

In the night cap, Villanova jumped out to a 4-0 lead before junior Dana Sensi (Allentown) hit her 10th home run of the season, cutting the Wildcat lead to three.

“Dana keeps hitting the ball hard and is staying hot,” Carroll added.

McCool followed with a single, her third hit of the day, eventually scoring on an error, cutting the deficit to 4-2.

'Nova added a double, triple and sacrifice fly to plate two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning for the final score.

Sophomore Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) went five innings, recording one strikeout.

“Both pitchers threw well,” Carroll said.  “Villanova hits the ball well which is what you expect from a BIG EAST team.”

Villanova has defeated Rider all nine times in the series that began in 2001.

The teams last met on April 10, 2014 in Lawrenceville when the Wildcats won 9-2.

Rider travels to Manhattan for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at 10am.