OMAHA, NE –
Jadeyn Merrill (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa) and
Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) had two hits each, but the Rider University softball team was swept by Creighton, 8-0 and 7-2, in a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 5-11, while the Blue Jays are now 15-8.
In Game 1, the Blue Jays scored eight unanswered runs over the first five innings to abbreviate the game to five innings. A pair of first inning homers made it 3-0 Creighton, before an RBI double in the second and a three-run home run in the third pushed the Blue Jays' lead to 7-0. With an RBI double in the fifth, the Creighton lead swelled to 8-0 and triggered the mercy rule. The Broncs' greatest offensive threat of the game came when
Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) was hit by a pitch
Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) followed with a single and both moved up on a wild pitch with no outs in the top of the fifth. But the Blue Jays kept the Broncs off the scoreboard with a pair of strikeouts and a lineout.
Creighton made it 15 unanswered runs with the first seven runs of Game 2. They opened the scoring with a four-run first on four hits, including a pair of home runs. Two hit-by-pitches, three walks, a single and a run-scoring groundout in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Blue Jays' lead to 7-0, before the Broncs scored their first runs of the day in the top of the sixth.
Tristen Wren (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) singled with two outs and
Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) followed with an RBI double to cut the deficit to 7-1. In the seventh,
Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and
Asiah Bell (Tucson, AZ/Canyon Del Oro [Central Ariz. Coll.]) singled. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, Merrill singled to make it a 7-2 game. But the Blue Jays wouldn't allow another run.
Notes
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Kathryn Schmierer (Racine, WI/Racine Lutheran) took the Game 1 loss in the circle, allowing four earned runs on six hits, striking out one in 1.1 innings pitched.
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Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) pitched 3.1 innings of relief, allowing four earned runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out one.
- Stoeckel started Game 2 in the circle and took the loss. She allowed seven earned runs on six hits, four walks and three HBP. She struck out one.
- Niegocki finished the game in the circle, holding the Blue Jays scoreless over 1.2 innings on one hit and one walk. She struck out three.
Broncs by the Numbers
- Merrill and Niegocki had two hits apiece for the Broncs.
- Merrill drove in a run.
- Gardner also had a hit and an RBI.
- Bell singled in her only at bat of the day.
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Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) added a double.
- Wren singled and scored a run.
- Stoeckel also had a hit.
- Luedtke was hit by a pitch and scored a run.
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, when they play host to Army West Point in their home openers. First pitch of the doubleheader from Herb & Joan Young Field is scheduled for noon.
