CHAPEL HILL, NC – The Rider University softball team was defeated in its first game of competition at the Tar Heel Invitational Friday, falling to the Host University of North Carolina, 11-1. The Broncs fall to 2-4 on the season, while the Tar Heels are now 13-0.
 
The Tar Heels got to work early scoring three in the first, then adding a run in the bottom of the second. In the top of the third, Aspen Wheeler (Lampasas, TX/Lampasas) led off the inning with a single. Kiersten Buchanan (Holly Springs, NC/Holly Springs) then hit a ground ball to third, but when the throw got away, Wheeler sped around the base paths to score from first on the play.
 
The Tar Heels had the immediate response, answering with four more runs in the third, then three additional runs in the fourth. Abby Cruz (Corona, CA/Santiago) had the Broncs best additional scoring chance in the fourth with a leadoff double, eventually advancing to third base, but she was stranded there.
 
Quotes & Notes
- UNC leads Rider 2-0 in the all-time series.
- Fallyn Stoeckel (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) got the start in the circle for the Broncs, allowing eight runs in 4.0 innings, taking the loss to drop to 2-2 this season.
 
Broncs By The Numbers
- Cruz and Wheeler had the lone hits for the Broncs.
- Stoeckel reached base via a walk.
 
Up Next
Rider remains at the Tar Heel Invitational Saturday, playing Appalachian State at 3 p.m. and North Carolina Central at 5:30 p.m.