LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Lani Moreno (Claremont, CA/Claremont) had four hits and four RBI's, but the Rider University softball team was swept by Iona, 5-3 and 6-5, Saturday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 10-8, while the Gaels are now 12-7.

The Gaels scratched across a run in the top of the third in Game 1 on consecutive two-out doubles. The Broncs tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Caitlyn Danovich's (Simi Valley, CA/Agoura) solo home run to left and following hits from Kennedy Jarrard (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) and Elena Gonzalez (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge) sandwiched around a Gianna Epps (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) walk, Lani Moreno (Claremont, CA/Claremont) laced a two-run single to left to give Rider a 3-1 lead.

Iona would tie the game in the top of the sixth. The Gaels' first two batters of the inning reached on a single and a double, ending Debra Jones' (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown) outing. Brooklyn Trujillo-Quintana (Henderson, CO/Prairie View) replaced Jones in the circle and the Gaels got one run on a wild pitch before another scored on a single to tie the game. Following a walk and a 2-0 count in the seventh, Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) took over pitching duties. Her next three pitches punched out her first batter, but a walk and a single loaded the bases. However, she worked out of trouble with Jarrard making a diving stab on a line drive and doubling off the runner at second to keep the game tied at 3-3. The game headed to extra innings and Iona took the lead on a wild pitch, compounded by a throwing error on the play that plated a second run, giving Iona a 5-3 lead. The Broncs were retired in order in the bottom of the eighth as Iona closed out the victory.

Rider plated a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first in Game 2. Kelsey Marigliano (Seaford, NY/Plainledge) walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and moved to third on Gonzalez's single. Moreno singled to push Marigliano across, before Gonzalez scored on a wild pitch. Following four scoreless innings, Iona capitalized on a error to begin the top of the sixth with Jamie Sheeran's game-tying two-run home run. Following a pitching change, the Iona offense continued to click, with a go-ahead RBI double to cash in a walk following the homer to take a 3-2 lead. Rider evened the score on Chaela Crowder's (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) two-out, pinch-hit RBI single, scoring pinch runner Melanie Wilkinson (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) from second following a Grace Stansfield (Philadelphia, PA/William Penn Charter) double earlier in the inning.

The decisive Iona scoring play would come in unconventional fashion. The Gaels loaded the bases with one out. Jamie Sheeran then grounded to shortstop and the Broncs got the force at home plate. However, Iona challenged that a defensive reentry for Rider had not been reported and the umpires ruled that the play was nullified and Sheeran's at bat would restart. Sheeran then hit a bases-clearing double to put Iona on top, 6-3. Rider would get two runs back in the bottom of the seventh on two-out RBI base hits from Gonzalez and Moreno. But the Gaels recorded the final out in the 6-5 win.

Quotes & Notes
"We had a big let up today. We need to reset and see if we can come back tomorrow and compete." - Rider Head Coach Davon Ortega

- Jones started Game 1 and allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk. She struck out seven in 5.0 innings pitched.
- Niegocki took the Game 1 loss, allowing two runs, one earned on two hits and two walks, while striking out two.
- Groskritz started Game 2 and allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks in 5.1 innings pitched. She struck out six.
- Cal took the loss in Game 2, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and a walk, while striking out two.
- Rider and Iona complete their weekend series on Sunday, with first pitch of the doubleheader slated for noon. Prior to Game 1, the Broncs will honor their three-member senior class of Jones, Marigliano and Melanie Wilkinson (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South).

Broncs by the Numbers
- Moreno led the Broncs, going 4-for-7 with a double and four RBI's.
- Stansfield and Gonzalez added three hits apiece, with Gonzalez scoring twice and driving in one.
- Epps also doubled and scored twice.
- Crowder added a pinch-hit RBI single.
- Danovich, Alyssa Ansara (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne) and Jarrard also added one hit each.