LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Eight different Broncs recorded multiple hits on the day as the Rider University softball team swept a doubleheader Sunday and took 3-of-4 on the weekend from Quinnipiac. Rider held off the Bobcats, 8-7, in Game 1, before withstanding a comeback and an extra-innings deficit to win Game 2, 9-8. With the wins, the Broncs move to 3-1, while the Bobcats are 1-3.  

The Broncs started the Game 1 scoring with a three-run Bottom of the 3^rd. Elena Gonzalez (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge) doubled off the center field wall to drive in two and Brianna Koonce (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) also doubled home another run to make it 3-0 Rider. Quinnipiac immediately chipped away with a two-run home run in the fourth, before taking a 5-3 lead with three runs on four hits and an error in the top of the fifth.

Rider responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth and didn't trail again in the game. Alyssa Ansara (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne) and Grace Stansfield (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter) started the inning with singles, before three walks, two wild pitches and an error allowed the Broncs to take a 7-5 lead. Rider added what proved to be a necessary insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on another Gonzalez double off the center field wall, scoring Ansara. A pair of errors in the top of the seventh allowed Quinnipiac to score twice and cut the Broncs' lead to 8-7. But Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) recorded the final outs to preserve her first collegiate win.

In Game 2, Quinnipiac put its first three batters on base with a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a single and all three runs came around to score. Debra Jones (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) entered the game in the circle with one out in the inning and restored order, recording the final two outs. Rider got two runs back in the bottom of the first, with Gonzalez singling home Kelsey Marigliano (Seaford, NY/Plainledge) and Ansara scoring on an error.

Rider tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the second, as Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) walked with the bases loaded and Chaela Crowder (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) followed with a hot shot back to the pitcher that couldn't immediately be handled and was then overthrown, allowing all three runs to score and put Rider on top, 6-3. A two-run home run for Quinnipiac in the top of the fourth cut the Broncs' lead to one before Ansara singled and reached third on a two-base throwing error to begin the bottom of the fourth and scored on a wild pitch. Quinnipiac tied the game at 7-7 with two runs on four hits in the top of the sixth.  

The game headed to extra innings, with Quinnipiac tallying a run on a two-out RBI single from Katherine Rodriguez. But the Broncs pieced together five-straight base hits to begin the bottom of the eighth, including RBI singles from Kaitlin Vazquez (Howell, NJ/Donovan Catholic) and Stansfield to walk off with the win and the doubleheader sweep.

Quotes & Notes
"We put ourselves in situations to have to come back today, but it was great to see that, as a team, we can handle the pressure and fight back by sticking together. This team really worked well as a unit and I like the fight and grit we are showing early on." – Rider Head Coach Davon Ortega

- Rider got wins in the circle by a pair of relief pitchers Sunday.
- Making her Rider debut, Groskritz allowed two unearned runs in 2.2 innings pitched, scattering four hits and a walk, while striking out one to pick up the win in Game 1.
- After starter Brooklyn Trujillo-Quintana got into early trouble in Game 2, Debra Jones (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) entered and went the final 7.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and a walk, while striking out five, to pick up the win.
- The Broncs return to action Saturday, when they welcome Niagara to Herb and Joan Young Field for the first of two weekend doubleheaders comprising a four-game set. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for noon.   
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Ansara led Rider with four hits on the day, going 4-for-6 with five runs scored.
- Gonzalez ripped a pair of doubles in a 3-for-6 day, driving in four and scoring twice.
- Marigliano and Stansfield also had three hits apiece.
- Lani Moreno (Claremont, CA/Claremont), Niegocki, Crowder and Koonce contributed two hits each.
- Niegocki scored three runs and drove in two.