KENNESAW, GA – Starting pitchers Debra Jones (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) and Elyse Cuttic (Easton, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) each pitched complete games, but the Rider University softball team fell in a pair of close games at Kennesaw State Friday afternoon, falling 2-0 and 6-3, at Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 0-6 on the season, while the Owls are now 15-2.  

The Owls took a pitchers' duel in Game 1, with the game going scoreless into the fifth. KSU got the lone runs of the game on a two-out, two-run single from Christen Florence in the bottom of the fifth. Grace Stansfield (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter) contributed two of Rider's three hits in the game, with Lani Moreno (Claremont, CA/Claremont) chipping in with the other.

Rider got off to a strong start in Game 2, pushing across their first run of the day as Elena Gonzalez (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge) led off with a double, moved to third on a fielder's choice from Kelsey Marigliano (Seaford, NY/Plainledge) and scored on an Elyse Cuttic (Easton, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) sacrifice fly to give Rider a 1-0 lead after a half inning.

But the Owls took a 3-1 lead on Taylor Cates' two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the second. KSU tacked on three more in the third on a two-run single and a run-scoring fielder's choice to push the Owls' lead to 6-1.

The Broncs battled back for two runs in the top of the seventh, as Gianna Epps (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) doubled with one out and scored on a pair of passed balls. Brianna Koonce (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) reached on the second passed ball, advanced to second on an error, reached third on a hit-by-pitch and scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-3. But the Owls limited the damage to two runs to close out the victory.   

Quotes & Notes
"We played well against a very strong team today and started to prove to ourselves that while we still have a lot to improve on, we can compete. We just have to continue to trust our process and stay relentless." - Rider Head Coach Davon Ortega

- Debra Jones (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) went the distance in Game 1, limiting the Owls to two earned runs on seven hits and three walks in 6.0 innings pitched. She struck out four.
- Cuttic also hurled a complete game in Game 2, allowing six earned runs on six hits without walking a batter. She struck out two.
- Caitlyn Danovich (Simi Valley, CA/Agoura) collected her first collegiate hit in Game 2.
- The Broncs continue Interstate 75 Challenge action tomorrow, when they play a doubleheader at Georgia State. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.     

Broncs by the Numbers
- Stansfield and Gonzalez led the Broncs with two hits each.
- Moreno had a hit in Game 1 and reached twice in Game 2 on hit-by-pitches.
- Gonzalez, Epps and Koonce each scored a run.
- Cuttic had the Broncs' lone RBI on the day.
- Gonzalez and Epps each had a double in Game 2.