College Softball
Delaware State University 8, Rider University 0 / 6 innings
Delaware State University 11, Rider University 3 / 5 innings

LAWRENCEVILLE—The 2016 Rider University softball season came to an end on senior day with a non-conference doubleheader loss to Delaware State University on Sunday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.

“Today wasn't the outcome we wanted,” said head coach Jaci Timko.  “We just weren't able to put the hits together.  We battled but Delaware State made all the plays.”

Rider (8-42) lost 8-0 and 11-3.

In game two, senior Samantha Judd (Thousand Oaks, Calif./Westlake) celebrated senior day with a three for three performance, scoring two of Rider's three runs.

Trailing 7-0, Judd hit a two-out single in the bottom of the third inning, stole second base and scored on a single by senior Kim Valdes (Jupiter, Fla./King's Academy). 

Delaware State led 9-1 in the bottom of the fourth when junior Josettee Spencer (Hillsborough) hit an RBI double to left field, scoring freshman Kiera Swank (Bear, Del./Caravel Academy) who had singled up the middle.  Swank had two hits in the doubleheader for the Broncs.

Trailing 11-2, Judd doubled to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning and came around to score on a one-out single from senior Montana Berg (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista).  For Berg, it was her second hit of the day.

Junior Megan Ailand (Burlingame, Calif./Burlingame) took the loss, working two and two thirds innings, allowing 10 hits and six earned runs.

In the opener, Rider was held to four singles in an 8-0 loss.

Delaware State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a single, stolen base, sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly and the Hornets used three doubles and a run-scoring single to plate two runs in the third inning to lead 3-0.

A bunt single, stolen base and Rider error led to one run for Delaware State in the fourth inning as the Hornets pushed their lead to four runs.

Delaware State (27-16) strung together five hits and scored four times in the sixth inning for the final score.

Ailand started and went two innings, allowing one earned run but was tagged with the loss.

The Broncs had four hits in the opener, singles by senior Dana Sensi (Allentown), senior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South), Swank and Berg.

Sensi finished with 183 career hits, 10th best all-time at Rider.  Cottrell finished with 119 career hits, tied for 39th best all-time as a Bronc and Valdes finished with 116 hits, tied for 41st on Rider's all-time hit list.

“You could definitely see the difference and development of the team this year,” said Sensi who started every game of her Bronc career, amassing a 193-game streak.  “It is going to be fun to watch how much they get better in the years to come.  Looking back, I made great friends here and I really like the school and the atmosphere of Rider Athletics and all I can do is think back and smile.”

Graduating seniors Judd, Valdes, Berg, Cottrell and Sensi as well as Delaware State's six graduating seniors were all honored in a pregame ceremony prior to the doubleheader.

“This squad faced a lot of challenges but battled all the way through,” Timko said.  “That says a lot about their character.  The seniors especially showed a lot of leadership and were a dependable, powerful bunch.  We relied on them when times got tough and they were good role models.”

Delaware State has won 13 in a row and 16 of its last 18 games.

Rider returns 17 letterwinners for the 2017 season.

-RU-