PRINCETON, NJ – Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) contributed two hits, but the Rider University softball team was swept in a non-conference doubleheader at Princeton, 2-0 and 6-1, Tuesday evening. With the losses, the Broncs fall to 19-32, while the Tigers improve to 24-15.

Game 1 was a pitchers' duel between the Broncs' Anna-Marie Groskritz (Granby, CT/Granby Memorial) and the Tigers' tandem of Meghan Harrington and Brielle Wright. Groskritz held Princeton scoreless through five innings on one hit, two walks and a hit-by-pitch. The Broncs developed their best scoring chance of the game in the fourth, putting Harrington on the ropes with a leadoff walk from Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) and a one-out double from Kristyn Gardner (Perryville, MD/Perryville) to put runners on second and third with one out. After the Tigers got the second out on a fielder's choice in which Stoeckel was thrown out at the plate, going on contact on a ground ball to third, Wright replaced Harrington in the circle, getting a flyout to end the Broncs' threat.

Still scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers got a one-out double and two RBI singles for the only scoring of the game and took the 2-0 victory.

In Game 2, a leadoff walk and a two-out error set up Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) with an RBI opportunity and she didn't miss, singling through the left side to score Stoeckel. But the run was the only of the day for the Broncs and the Tigers answered with three in the bottom of the inning. Princeton opened the frame with three-straight singles to load the bases. The first run scored on a sacrifice fly and, after a hit-by-pitch reloaded the bases, two more scored on a two-out, two-run single to make it 3-1 Princeton.

Another hit-by-pitch followed by a home run made it 5-1 Tigers after two, while three-straight two-out hits in the bottom of the fifth pushed the lead to 6-1.

Notes
- Groskritz took the Game 1 loss, allowing two earned runs on four hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch over the full 6.0 innings.
- Kathryn Schmierer (Racine, WI/Racine Lutheran) started Game 2 and took the loss, allowing five earned runs on six hits, while hitting three batters. She struck out two over 4.0 innings pitched.
- Gabi Rodriguez (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) pitched the final 2.0 innings in relief, allowing one earned run on three hits and two walks.   
- With other action around the MAAC on Tuesday, the Broncs clinched a berth in the 2025 MAAC Championships.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Gardner went 2-for-5 with a double.
- Shelby Dyer (Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) added a double and a stolen base.
- Stoeckel reached twice on a pair of walks and scored a run.
- Reda-Fehsal singled and drove in a run.
- Olivia Burroughs (Escondido, CA/San Pasqual) and Noelle Flail (Woolwich, NJ/Kingway Regional) each added a single.
- Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) drew a walk.

Up Next
The Broncs wrap up the regular season with a three-game MAAC series at Manhattan on Friday and Saturday. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon, while a single game will also be played Saturday at noon in Riverdale, NY.