LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago) hit a grand slam and drove in five and Aspen Wheeler (Lampasas, TX/Lampasas) had three hits and three RBI's as the Rider University softball team defeated Niagara, 12-4, in six innings Sunday at Herb and Joan Young Field. With the win, the Broncs improve to 19-30 (12-10 MAAC), while the Purple Eagles fall to 9-28 (6-14 MAAC).

The Broncs struck for three in the bottom of the first on a two-out, two-run triple from Wheeler following singles from Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) earlier in the frame. Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) followed with an RBI single to left to score Wheeler with the third run.

Niagara evened the score with three in the top of the second. Two singles to left bookended a pair of walks for the first Purple Eagles run, before another single through the left side scored one more. A fielder's choice cut a runner down at the plate, before Niagara beat out a play at second to negate the force. The runner was tagged out after overrunning the base. However, with the force no longer in play, the runner from third scored the tying run.

Rider retook the lead in the bottom of the second, with Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) leading off with a single, taking second on a throwing error and scoring on Stoeckel's second base hit of the game to make it 4-3 Broncs. In the top of the third, Niagara tied the score as Natasha Limbani elevated a pitch to right into 15 mile-per-hour winds, easily clearing the fence for a home run.

The Broncs retook the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Stoeckel walked and Kathryn Schmierer (Racine, WI/Racine Lutheran) doubled to the right-field corner to put runners on second and third. Gardner was hit by a pitch to load the bases, before the go-ahead run scored on Cruz's fielder's choice. An insurance run came in on Wheeler's RBI single to make it 6-4 after four.

In the fifth, the Broncs loaded the bases on three walks by two different pitchers, before Cruz hit a grand slam to right center to blow the game open. Rider enacted the mercy rule in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of three Niagara errors and a wild pitch in the frame, with Buchanan scoring on the wild pitch to put Rider on top, 12-4.  

Notes
- The Broncs used three pitchers in the game, with Gabi Rodriguez (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) getting the start. She allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks and took a no decision.
- Rodriguez extended to a stretch of 6.1 consecutive no-hit innings, covering three games – vs. Marist (Apr. 15), vs. Niagara (Apr. 25) and today – before the Purple Eagles broke the streak with a one-out single in the second.
- Stoeckel pitched an inning of relief, allowing one earned run on one hit and one walk.
- Schmierer entered the circle for the final three innings, holding the Purple Eagles off the scoreboard. She allowed two hits and hit one batter, while striking out five to earn the win.
- Prior to the game, the Broncs honored their six-member senior class of team manager Emma Rambo, Asiah Bell, Olivia Burroughs, Gardner, Anna-Marie Groskritz and Schmierer on Senior Day.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Wheeler went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBI's and a run scored.
- Cruz hit a grand slam, drove in five and scored twice.
- Stoeckel added a pair of singles, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.
- Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) added two singles.
- Gardner singled, walked, was hit by a pinch and scored twice. Her spot in the line-up scored three times, with Cami Johnson (Richland, NJ/Buena Regional) pinch running for Gardner after she was hit by a pitch.
- Buchanan singled, walked and scored three runs.
- Schmierer added a double.
- Reda-Fehsal contributed a single, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.  
- Shelby Dyer (Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) walked, drove in a run and scored another, while contributing one of the best defensive plays of the game, tracking down a foul fly ball down the right field line and holding on while crashing into the fence to end the top of the sixth, stranding two Purple Eagles on the bases.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Tuesday, when they make the short trip up Route 206 to Princeton. Game 1 of the scheduled doubleheader is set for 4:30 p.m.