EMMITSBURG, MD – Five Broncs had multiple hits, but the Rider University softball team was swept by Mount St. Mary's, 3-1 and 7-4, on the road Tuesday afternoon. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 16-30 (6-10), while the Mountaineers improve to 30-15 (13-3 MAAC).  

The Mountaineers struck first in the bottom of the first in Game 1, making the Broncs pay for a pair of walks with a Tori Bowles RBI single. The Mount added another run in the third on a single, a walk and a double, all with two out, to push their lead to 2-0. Meanwhile, the Broncs got leadoff doubles in the first and second innings, but both times, double plays followed, holding Rider off the scoreboard. The Broncs put a runner on in each of the first four innings and loaded the bases with one out in the fourth. But this time it was a line out and a fielder's choice that extinguished the Rider threat.

The Broncs finally got on the board in the sixth, as Jadeyn Merrill (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa) singled back up the box and scored on a two-out RBI double to right center from Kristyn Gardner (Perrysville, MD/Perrysville). But the Broncs stranded runners on the corners following a Julia Harsche (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph-by-the-Sea) line out to center to leave the deficit at 2-1. But The Mount got another two-out RBI single in the bottom of the frame and set down the Broncs in order in the top of the seventh to close out the 3-1 victory.

The Mount took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of Game 2 as Abigayle Perry led off with a home run. The Broncs responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to take their first lead of the day. An error, a sacrifice bunt and a Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) single put runners on the corners with one out before the Mountaineers tried to cut down a run at the plate on Gianna Epps' ground ball. Kathryn Schmierer (Racine, WI/Racine Lutheran) beat the throw to tie the game at 1-1, before Laneya Wright (Tucson, AZ/Marana) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Mountaineers got the second out on a shallow fly ball to center, before Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) ripped a two-run double to right center. The Broncs attempted to clear the bases, but the runner from third was thrown out at the plate for the final out of the frame.

The Mountaineers immediately tied the game with consecutive two-out RBI hits to make it 3-3 after three innings. Mount St. Mary's broke the game open with a four-run fifth, with a two-run home run from Maggie Kane and a two-out, two-run double from Erin Krizmanich. Brianna Koonce (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) answered with her second home run in as many days, a solo shot in the sixth, before the Broncs loaded the bases with two out in the seventh, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. But Mount St. Mary's pitcher Maddie Coleman induced a pop out to end the game.  

Notes
- Niegocki went the full 6.0 innings in Game 1, striking out 11. She allowed three earned runs on seven hits and four walks.
- Schmierer started Game 2 in the circle and took a no decision. She allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings pitched. She struck out two.
- Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) pitched the final 3.1 innings in relief and took the loss. She allowed four earned runs on five hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch, striking out five.
- Rider is now 0-6 in league games on the road this season as opposed to 6-4 against MAAC foes at Herb & Joan Young Field.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Niegocki and Koonce each collected three hits on the day. Niegocki had a double, a pair of walks and a run scored, while Koonce hit a solo home run, her second of the year.
- Burroughs entered the game tied for the league lead in doubles and separated herself from Marist's Haley Ahr with a pair of two-baggers, her 16^th and 17^th of the season, the second of which drove in two. She also reached on a hit-by-pitch.
- Merrill and Epps had two hits and a run apiece, with Epps also driving in a run. Merrill also walked once.  
- Gardner added an RBI double, while Harsche and Wright had one hit each, while Wright reached a second time on a hit-by-pitch.
- Schmierer also scored a run.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, when they travel to league-leading Canisius. First pitch from Buffalo is scheduled for noon.