NORFOLK, VA - The Rider University softball split its slate on day two of the Norfolk State Tournament, topping Central Connecticut 9-4 before dropping a rematch to Norfolk State.

Rider vs Central Connecticut
In the first game of the day, Central struck first as the Blue Devils opened the scoring in the top of the first inning on a Grace Lawton RBI single. But the Broncs responded quickly. 

Down 1‑0 in the bottom of the second, Kendall Reda-Fehsal (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) ignited the offense with a single to left. After Aspen Wheeler (Lampasas, TX/Lampasas) was hit by a pitch, a sac bunt moved the runners into scoring position. Emma Morgan (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) reached on a fielding error that allowed pinch runner Keegan St. Cyr (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton) to score, cutting the deficit to 1‑1. Noelle Flail (Woolwich, NJ/Kingsway Regional) followed with a two‑run single to bring home Morgan and Wheeler, and Fallyn Stoeckel's (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) RBI double to center gave the Broncs a 4‑1 lead.

Central chipped away with a run in the third, but the Broncs broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. Three straight hits from Cruz, Reda-Fehsal and Wheeler loaded the bases with one out. Maddie Luedtke (Gibbstown, NJ/Gloucester County Institute of Technology) delivered a two‑run single, and two batters later Flail added another RBI knock. Stoeckel capped the frame with a two‑run double to push the lead to 9‑2.

The Blue Devils added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but the Broncs' five‑run fifth proved to be the difference as they pulled away for a 9‑4 victory.

Rider vs Norfolk State
The Spartans jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run to take a 4‑0 lead.

Rider got on the board at the top of the fourth. Kendall Reda-Fehsal led off with a double to left, followed by an Aspen Wheeler single to put runners on the corners. Emma Morgan delivered a base hit to bring home Reda‑Fehsal. After Noelle Flail drew a walk to load the bases, a pitching change was made for the Spartans. Shelby Dyer (Clarksboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional) followed with a groundout to short that plated another run, cutting the deficit to 4‑2.

Norfolk State extended its lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth, making it 5‑2. 

The Broncs threatened again in the sixth when Reda-Fehsal blasted a solo homer to left field, pulling Rider within two at 5‑3. However, the Broncs were unable to generate a hit in the seventh, and the Spartans held on for the 5‑3 victory.

Quotes and Notes
- Rider and Norfolk State are now 6-6 in all-time series history while still having a 10-5 all-time series record vs Central Connecticut.
- In game one vs Central, Fallyn Stoeckel (7 IP) earned the win, striking out eight, allowing eight hits and one earned run.
- In game two against Norfolk State, Gabi Rodriguez (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian) started but pitched just 0.2 innings, allowing three hits and three runs. Lily Ornelas (Hernando, FL/Trinity Catholic) came on in relief, tossing 5.2 innings, giving up five hits and two runs while striking out two.

Broncs by the Numbers
Game One vs. Central Connecticut
- Rider recorded 12 hits in the opener. 
- Offensively, Kendall Reda-Fehsal led the Broncs with three hits. 
- Stoeckel and Flail added two hits each, while Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs), Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago), Aspen Wheeler, Maddie Luedtke, and Emma Morgan each contributed a hit. 
- Stoeckel and Flail drove in three RBIs apiece, Luedtke had two, and Morgan added one.

Game Two vs. Norfolk State
- Rider generated five hits in the nightcap. 
- At the plate, Reda-Fehsal led with two hits, while Luedtke, Wheeler, and Morgan each added one. 
RBIs went to Shelby Dyer, Luedtke, and Reda-Fehsal.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action tomorrow, Feb. 15, taking on Central Connecticut to close out the opening weekend. 
First pitch is set for 12 p.m.