LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Chaela Crowder (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) led the Broncs' offense with three hits, but the Rider University softball team was swept in its home openers by Princeton, 3-2 and 3-1, Wednesday afternoon on Herb & Joan Young Field. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 6-16, while the Tigers are now 11-13.

The Tigers scored first in the top of the second in Game 1, getting the leadoff batter aboard on a controversial hit-by-pitch. It was initially ruled a foul ball at the plate, but upon challenge from the Princeton coaching staff and a conference between the umpires, Caitlin Bish was awarded first base. A hit and a walk later, the bases were loaded with two out for Serena Starks, who delivered the Tigers' first run with a single through the left side. Princeton would add two more in the fourth on two hits, a hit-by-pitch and an error to push the Tigers' lead to 3-0.

The Broncs whittled away with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Consecutive singles from Emma Rambo (Bangor, PA/Bangor Area) and Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) set the table for an RBI double from Laneya Wright (Tucson, AZ/Marana). In the sixth, Chaela Crowder (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) pinch hit with a single and Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology), who re-entered on the basepaths, scored on a throwing error. But the Broncs went down in order in the seventh as the Tigers secured the Game 1 victory.

Following three scoreless frames to open Game 2, Princeton loaded the bases with no outs and Broncs starting pitcher Kathryn Schmierer (Racine, WI/Racine Lutheran) limited the damage to one run on a groundout. A second run or more would have scored on a lineout to right that Wright made a diving grab on for the second out. But the Broncs appealed at third and it was determined that the Tiger on third left early before crossing the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Rider tied the game at 1-1 on a solo shot from Crowder.

But another half inning later, it was the Tigers' Sophia Marsalo using the long ball to give the lead back to Princeton, 2-1. The Tigers tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on an errant throw on a stolen-base attempt at second. One the ball tricked away, the Princeton baserunner at third to begin the play trotted home. Princeton reliever Meghan Harrington faced the minimum nine batters over her three innings of work, striking out four to record the save.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We struggled to string timely hits together today and it unfortunately cost us. We just have to stay positive and keep chipping away." - Rider Head Coach Davon Ortega

- Niegocki took the loss in Game 1, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits and a walk over 3.1 innings pitched. She struck out four.
- Schmierer was charged with the loss in Game 2, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits and a hit-by-pitch in 6.0 innings pitched. She struck out two.
- Jadeyn Merrill (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa) pitched the seventh in Game 2, allowing just a walk, while striking out two.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Crowder went 3-for-4 with her first home run of the year.
- Luedtke and Wright added two-hit performances. Luedtke scored a run, while Wright drove one in.
- Rambo contributed her first collegiate hit and run scored.
- Brianna Koonce (Warminster, PA/William Tennent), Gianna Epps (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown), Niegocki and Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) added one hit apiece.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action this weekend, when they open league play at Fairfield Saturday and Iona on Sunday. Both twinbills are slated for noon starts.