College Softball
Villanova University 3, Rider University 0
Villanova University 6, Rider University 1

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University softball team was swept in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field by Villanova University.

The Wildcats have now won 17 in a row and improved to 26-13 with wins of 3-0 and 6-1 over the Broncs.

“Our pitching was solid today,” said head coach Jaci Timko.  “We played up to Villanova's level.  We had good pitch selection.  Probably had a few too many strikeouts but when we hit the ball, we hit it hard but it was right at them.  That's happens sometimes.  Overall we did a good job executing.”

Senior pitcher Kate Poppe threw her fourth career no-hitter in game one, recording 10 strikeouts for her 17th win of the season.

For Rider (5-30) in game two, sophomores Monica Clark (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and Toni Nino (Adelanto, Calif./Silverado) each had two of the six hits for the Broncs.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Rider got on the board when Clark doubled to left center field and Nino followed with a bunt hit.  Nino then drew a throw coming around first and Clark scrambled home before Nino was tug out in the rundown.

“It wasn't conventional and didn't play out the way we wanted it to but it did get a run home on a day we struggled to get the offense rolling,” Timko said. 

Villanova used five hits to score four runs in the top of the seventh inning for the final score.

Junior Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) went the distance for Rider in the nightcap.

Also for the Broncs in game two, freshman Kiera Swank (Bear, Del./Caravel Academy) and senior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River South) each had singles.  Cottrell was honored prior to the opener for becoming the 51st Bronc softball player to achieve the 100 hit plateau.

In the opener, Poppe out-dueled sophomore Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) who allowed six hits and three earned runs while recording one strikeout.

Villanova took a 1-0 lead on a one out triple followed by an RBI double and the Wildcats extended their lead to 3-0 on three hits and a sacrifice fly.

Rider continues an eight-game home stand with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader against Siena College on Saturday at 2pm.

“It was important to see a strong opponent heading into this weekend with six straight MAAC games coming up,” Timko added.  “That gets us in the right mind set.  Gets good reps in, against a quality opponent like Villanova only makes us a better team.”

-RU-