STATESBORO, GA –
Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base, but the Rider University softball team dropped a pair of games to begin play at the Hail Southern Classic. The Broncs fell to Maryland, 9-0, and host Georgia Southern, 12-0. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 3-11.
Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) and Luedtke each contributed a single in the first and second innings, respectively, against Maryland. But those were the Broncs' lone two hits of the game.
Ceara O'Neal (Hamilton Square, NJ/Steinert) and
Shelby Dyer (Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) drew walks in the fifth, but the Terrapins scored single runs in the second and third, five in the fourth and two more in the fifth to activate the mercy rule.
The Broncs threatened in the second against Georgia Southern, with
Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) walking and Luedtke following with a double to put runners on second and third with one out. But a line out and a strikeout ended the threat. Just one more Bronc would reach safely in the game, a
Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) walk in the third. Meanwhile, the Eagles posted two runs in the second, three in the third and seven in the fourth to end the game.
Notes
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Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) started against Maryland and took the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits, four walks and two HBP. She struck out three.
- Stoeckel started in the circle against Georgia Southern and took the loss. She allowed 10 runs, four earned, on 10 hits and a walk.
Broncs by the Numbers
- Luedtke upped her batting average to .325 on the year with a 2-for-4 effort with a single, double and a stolen base.
- Buchanan chipped in with a single.
- Stoeckel, Burroughs, Dyer and O'Neal each drew one walk.
Up Next
The Broncs return to Hail Southern Classic action Saturday, when they face Maryland at 9 a.m. and Georgia Southern at 2 p.m. The Georgia Southern game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
