College Softball
Rider University 9, Saint Peter's University 7
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

LAWRENCEVILLE—Junior second baseman Morgan Benedetti (Ewing) is a biology major who aspires to be a trauma surgeon.

On Tuesday, the MAAC All-Academic team member found her Rider team in distress and used her bat like a scalpel, slicing a three-run double between outfielder's to give the Broncs an 8-6 lead in the fifth inning as Rider won 9-7 over Saint Peter's University at Herb and Joan Young Field.

Despite being out-hit 13-12, Rider used a six-run fifth inning for the come from behind Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory, sweeping the season series after a 14-12 win on April 26.

“Today was a big mental challenge for the team,” said head coach Jaci Timko.  “They had finals in the morning, played the game (1pm start) and now have finals for night class.  It really says something to battle through that stress and the elements (steady drizzle) for a come from behind win.”

Trailing 6-3, Rider opened the fifth inning with three straight hits, singles by junior Josettee Spencer (Hillsborough), senior Kim Valdes (Jupiter, Fla./King's Academy) and senior Montana Berg (Danville, Calif. (Monte Vista), the last of which cut the Bronc deficit to two runs.  After a fielder's choice from senior Dana Sensi (Allentown) loaded the bases, senior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) followed with a single to get the Broncs to within 6-5.

Sophomore Monica Clark (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) followed Benedetti's double with an RBI single to give the Broncs a three-run cushion.  Rider had half of its 12 hits in the fifth inning.

“No matter what, we want the team to go out there and keep swinging,” Timko said.  “In that fifth inning, the hitting was contagious and we strung together some good at-bats.  If we keep working hard, we will get the results that we want and we are starting to see that.”

Benedetti entered play eight of her last 23 (.348) after opening the season 10 for 61 (.164).  “Morgan is seeing the ball right now,” Timko said.  “Whatever she is doing, it's working and all we can ask of her is to keep swinging.”

Clark and Valdes each had two hits for Rider with Clark adding a double and Berg scored twice and added two RBIs for the Broncs.

Saint Peter's scored once in the top of the sixth inning on a bases loaded walk but Bronc starter junior Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) induced a foul out to third base as the Peacocks stranded three of their nine runners on the day.

Ailand went the first six innings, scattering 13 hits and allowing seven earned runs while recording three strikeouts.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Kallert (Woodland Park/Passaic Valley) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for her first save of the season.

Rider jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead on an RBI fielder's choice and a run-scoring double by Cottrell.

Cottrell reached base three times in the game with two hits and a walk, knocking in two.

Saint Peter's (0-39, 0-16 MAAC) used four hits, including a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead in the top of the third inning.

Sensi led off the fourth inning with a double and scored on a Saint Peter's error to get Rider to within 4-3.  The Peacocks made four errors in the game, leading to three unearned runs.

A Preseason MAAC All-Conference honoree, Sensi broke a 2 for 12 drought with two hits on Tuesday and she scored twice in the game.  Her 182 career hits are 10th best all-time at Rider.

Saint Peter's used three hits, a fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly to open up a 6-3 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

Rider hosts a MAAC doubleheader on Saturday against Quinnipiac at 1pm and the Broncs finish the 2016 season at home on Sunday with a 2pm non-conference doubleheader against Delaware State.

“We want to keep producing to end the season,” said Timko who is wrapping up her first season as head coach.  “We want the seniors to keep doing what they are doing but we are also going to see some of what we have for next year and honing in on what we need to develop to move the program forward.”

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