WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) singled, scored a run and pitched a complete game without allowing an earned run as the Rider University softball team defeated Monmouth, 3-2, for its sixth-straight win Wednesday afternoon at MU Softball Park. With the win, the Broncs improve to 12-22, while the Hawks fall to 7-29.

Niegocki led off the game with a lined single to center, took second on a Gianna Epps (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown) sacrifice bunt and scored on Jadeyn Merrill's (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa) hard ground ball to short that took a bad hop past Monmouth shortstop Bri Lawson into left center field. Still a 1-0 Rider lead into the sixth, the Broncs added a pair of insurance runs on Chaela Crowder's (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) pinch-hit, two-out, two-run single to right. Epps and Laneya Wright (Tucson, AZ/Marana) opened the inning with singles. While Epps was erased on a fielder's choice, Wright scored along with Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual), who'd reached on a hit-by-pitch, on the Crowder single.

The insurance runs would become necessary in the bottom of the seventh, as the Hawks scored a pair of unearned runs. An error to lead off the frame, followed by consecutive singles loaded the bases with no outs. Another throwing error on a shallow fly ball allowed the first Monmouth run to score, while a Francesca Torraca single made it a one-run Rider lead, still with just one out and runners at first and third. But Niegocki got a groundout and a flyout, stranding the tying and go-ahead runs at second and third to end the game.  

Quotes & Notes
"We didn't generate a ton of offense today, but I like the way Jessie kept us in the game and we scraped and scratched out a few runs." - Rider Head Coach Davon Ortega

- After striking out 23 batters in her prior two appearances, Niegocki pitched more to contact Wednesday, allowing two unearned runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out two.
- Over her last 20.0 innings pitched and three starts, Niegocki is 3-0, allowing just one earned run on 11 hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch, while striking out 25 batters.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Epps had two hits and a sacrifice bunt on the game.
- Niegocki and Wright both singled and scored a run.
- Crowder had the Broncs' two RBI's on her pinch-hit single.
- Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) also added a base hit.
- Burroughs was hit by a pitch and scored a run.  

Up Next
The Broncs return home for a pair of MAAC doubleheaders this weekend. Rider plays host to Marist on Alumni Day Saturday, before welcoming Siena on Little Broncs at The Island Day on Sunday. Both doubleheaders will start at noon.