CHAPEL HILL, NC – Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury), Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) and Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) had three hits each as the Rider University softball team defeated Lafayette, 8-5, on Day 2 of the Mizuno Invitational, hosted by the University of North Carolina, Saturday night. With the win, the Broncs even their record at 4-4, while the Leopards fall to 2-10.

The Broncs immediately jumped on the Leopards for four runs in the bottom of the first and a 6-0 lead through three innings. A single, and error and a walk loaded the bases with no outs for Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury), who delivered a two-run single to center. Gardner followed with an RBI single up the middle and a Julia Harsche (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph-by-the-Sea) fielder's choice also plated a run to make it 4-0 after one. Singles from Niegocki and Tristen Wren (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) put runners on the corner with one out for Reda-Fehsal, who delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 5-0 in the second, before Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to push Rider's lead to 6-0.

However, Lafayette with three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to pull to within one run, 6-5. A pair of walks and an error all came around to score in the fourth, before the Leopards loaded the bases on two singles and a hit-by-pitch, later scoring on a sacrifice fly and an error in the fifth. In the top of the sixth, Niegocki, who came on in relief in the fourth, stranded runners at second and third with a pair of strikeouts to end inning.

The Broncs then tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame as Niegocki singled, Amanda Cooper (Huntsville, TX/Huntsville) walked and both runners moved up on Wren's bunt. Reda-Fehsal then plated Niegocki with her third hit of the day, before Cooper scored on an Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago) sacrifice fly to make it 8-5 Rider after six.

Lafayette would bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh following a double and an error. But Niegocki struck out the final two batters of the inning to secure the victory.  

Notes
- Jadeyn Merrill (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa) started in the circle and took a no decision. She allowed three unearned runs on two hits, three walks and two hit-by-pitches, while striking out one in 3.1 innings.
- Niegocki earned the win with 3.2 innings of relief. She allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits, a walk and an HBP. She struck out seven.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Reda-Fehsal went 3-for-3 with three singles, a sacrifice fly, four RBI's and a run scored.
- Niegocki went 3-for-4 with three singles and three runs scored.
- Gardner went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles, driving in one.
- Luedtke delivered her first home run as a Bronc and also reached on a walk.
- Wren singled, walked and scored a run.
- Cooper walked and scored twice.
- Cruz delivered a sacrifice fly and an RBI.
- Harsche also drove in a run on a fielder's choice.

Up Next
The Broncs conclude Mizuno Invitational action Sunday, when they face Rutgers at 9 a.m.