College Softball
Manhattan College 9, Rider University 1
Rider University 6, Manhattan College 3
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Emily Cottrell 100 career hits

LAWRENCEVILLE—Senior Dana Sensi (Allentown) hit a bases clearing double in the bottom of the fifth inning, giving the Rider University softball team a come from behind win against Manhattan College and a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader split at Herb and Joan Young Field on Saturday afternoon.

“Getting the split was huge, especially after how we played in the opener,” said head coach Jaci Timko.  “Dana getting that hit there was huge.  Especially for a senior to come up big in a spot like that, I feel great for her and the team.”

“I was just looking for a ball to hit and get some runs for Kaitlyn (Kallert) who threw a really good game,” said Sensi who now has 173 career hits, tied for 12th best all-time at Rider.  “Against a good team like Manhattan, we had to take advantage of having the bases loaded.  I was just looking for something to drive.”

Sensi had two hits and scored twice in the nightcap with her three-run double giving Rider a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Sensi now has hits in seven straight games, raising her batting average to a team-leading .333.

Sophomore Monica Clark (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) hit her third home run off the season to lead off the bottom of the first inning and give Rider (5-26, 2-6 MAAC) a 1-0 lead. 

Senior Montana Berg (Danville, Ca./Monte Vista) singled to left field, scoring Sensi who reached on a single to give the Broncs a 2-0, first inning lead.  Berg had two hits in game two and finished with four hits on the day including a double.

“Getting the early lead gave us confidence,” Timko said.  “We have the fight and we just need the purpose and the want to do it.  We battled until the end.”

Trailing 3-2, Rider batted around in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Broncs took advantage of three Jasper errors with Sensi's double giving Rider the lead for good.  Manhattan made five errors in the game, leading to three unearned runs.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) threw a complete game, scattering 10 hits and allowed two earned runs while recording two strikeouts with no walks.

“Kaitlyn did a good job mixing it up,” Timko said.  “That's the first complete game she has thrown this year and she's fought through a lot to put that effort out there today.  I'm proud of her and proud of the defense for making the plays behind her.”

Also in the second game, senior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River South) singled in the first inning to become the 51st Bronc softball player all-time to reach the 100 hit plateau.  Cottrell went three for three in the first game and had four hits on the day.

“For Emily to break through her slump and swing the way she did today, that was great,” Timko said.  “She did a good job having solid at-bats and just battling.  We had her simplify her approach.”

In the opener, Rider made four errors, leading to three unearned runs as the Jaspers won game one 9-1. 

Trailing 9-0 in the seventh inning, Cottrell hit an RBI single to left field, scoring Sensi who doubled to right field to lead off the inning.

Cottrell had three of Rider's nine hits in the opener.

Junior Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) pitched six innings, scattering 10 hits while recording one strikeout.

Rider travels to Lafayette College for a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday at noon.

“We are looking to keep improving on our approach at the plate and want to make sure we play with consistency, both offensively and on defense,” Timko said.

“We are starting to pick it up,” Sensi said.  “Coming back last weekend at Iona to win 5-2 (after being down 2-0 in the seventh inning) and coming back today, we are picking up some confidence and we are looking to keep that going.”

-RU-