POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago) had three hits, but the third-seeded Rider University softball team was defeated by sixth-seeded Siena, 5-1, and fifth-seeded Iona, 3-2, in the MAAC Championships on Wednesday. With the losses, the Broncs conclude their season at 23-28.

Siena jumped out in front in the top of the first, with a bloop single and a walk setting the table for Emma Petersen's three-run home run. The Siena lead extended to 5-0 on an RBI triple from Mikala Fletcher's RBI triple and a run-scoring single from McKenzie Swinson in the top of the fourth. Rider got on the board in the bottom of the fifth on a solo shot to left from Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology). But Saints pitcher Alissa Eimont limited the Broncs to just two singles the rest of the way to close out the victory.

After three scoreless, hitless innings from both pitchers in the Iona game, the Gaels' Jamie Sheeran and Hailey Guerrero broke the deadlock with solo shots in the fourth. Iona would tack on another run on an RBI single from Sheeran in the fifth.

The Broncs mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, plating a pair of runs. Luedtke led off with a walk, before moving to second on a groundout and scoring on Cruz's third hit of the day. Niegocki later hit a two-out double to left center to cut the deficit to 3-2. But the Gaels got the final out on a groundout, stranding Niegocki at second.

Notes
- Jessie Niegocki (Marana, AZ/Mountain View) started the Siena game in the circle and took the loss. She allowed five earned runs on four hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in 3.2 innings pitched. She struck out one.
- Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) pitched the final 3.1 innings in relief against Siena, limiting the Saints to one hit and two hit-by-pitches without allowing a run.
- Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) started in the circle against Iona and took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch. She struck out two over 4.2 innings pitched.
- Stoeckel came on in relief against Iona, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. She allowed just one hit and struck out one.
- Rider's 23 wins were second-most in the seven-year tenure of Head Coach Davon Ortega (28 in 2022).

Broncs by the Numbers
- Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago) went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles against Siena and added a hit and an RBI against Iona.
- Luedtke hit her team-leading seventh home run of the season, a solo shot in the fifth against Siena. She also walked twice and scored a run against Iona.
- Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) also added a single against the Saints.
- Shelby Dyer (Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) had the Broncs' lone hit in the first six innings against Iona. After being pinch hit for in the seventh, she scored a run upon reentry.
- Niegocki's double in the bottom of the seventh against Iona was officially the 198^th of her Rider career. The total would push to 200 if not for rain halting the Broncs' April 28 series finale at Niagara, and by NCAA rule, erasing Niegocki's 2-for-2 start to the game, with it being ruled a no contest.
- Niegocki, Stoeckel, Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) and Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) each drew one walk against Iona.