WILMINGTON, NC – Rider University softball graduate starting pitcher Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) limited UNC Wilmington to just one earned run, but the Rider University softball team fell to the Seahawks, 5-0, Sunday to wrap up play at the UNCW Tournament. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 1-4, while the Seahawks improved to 12-2 with their 10^th-straight win.

The Seahawks got on the board first in the bottom of the second, loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, an infield single and a walk, before an error and a two-run single plated two runs each to push UNCW's advantage to 4-0.
 
The Broncs threatened in the second and fourth innings. In the second, Rider got a leadoff single from Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago), before pinch runner Cami Johnson (Richland, NJ/Buena Regional) moved to second on an Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) sacrifice bunt and stole third, still with one out. But UNCW pitcher Peyton Eckert got a strikeout and a flyout to end the threat. In the fourth, the Broncs put a pair of runners on with a Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) single and two-out fielding error. But this time it was Lynsie Herman getting a strikeout to end the threat.

The Seahawks pieced together a fifth run in the fourth, as hit-by-pitch, infield single and consecutive groundouts pushed a run across. Rider put runners on second and third with two out in the sixth after Cruz was hit by a pitch, Burroughs singled and a wild pitch pushed them into scoring position. But a third UNCW pitcher, Taylor Barlow, induced an inning-ending groundout.

Notes
- Groskritz went the full 6.0 innings, allowing five runs, but just one earned, on 10 hits, two walks and two HBP's. She struck out five from the defending CAA Champions.  
- Cruz held the Seahawks' running game in check, throwing out Maggie Pertee (9-for-11 in stolen base attempts entering the day) twice. UNCW had stolen at least one base in 12-of-13 games entering the day, including a swipe in each of their last nine games.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Cruz reached twice on a single and a hit-by-pitch.
- Burroughs contributed a single and a sacrifice.
- Luedtke also singled.
- Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) each reached on a walk.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, when they begin play at the Kennesaw State Tournament. Rider is set to face St. John's (4 p.m.) and the host Owls (7 p.m.) on the opening day of the tournament.