CNBNews

Fairfield University 4, Rider University 3

Fairfield University 6, Rider University 4

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

LAWRENCEVILLE—Trailing 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Fairfield University scored four times to take a 6-3 lead and sweep the Rider University softball team in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Herb and Joan Young Field.

The Stags won the opener 4-3.

“Fairfield is a very tough team and they made us make some mistakes,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “The team battled and we were right there. We were one or two hits short. Give Fairfield credit for take advantage of the mistakes.”

In game two, Rider (8-26, 3-7 MAAC) took a 2-1 lead in the second inning on the fourth home run of the season by senior Allysen Breeden(Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown).

Senior Gina McCool (Marlton/Cherokee) hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning, scoring junior Dana Sensi (Allentown) who reached on a fielding error to give the Broncs a 3-1 lead.

McCool had three hits in the doubleheader with Sensi adding two hits on the day.

Sensi leads Rider in every offensive category, including batting average, doubles, triples, home runs and slugging percentage.

The Stags cut the deficit to 3-2 on a single, fielding error and RBI bunt on a suicide squeeze in the top of the fourth inning.

Also for the Broncs in game two, junior Montana Berg (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista) had two of Rider’s seven hits.

Sophomore Megan McDonough (Olney, Md./Sherwood) went the first five innings, scattering 10 hits and allowing six runs, four earned while recording one strikeout.

“Megan struggled a little bit,” Carroll said. “She did ok but we need her to do better and she is capable. She has shown that throughout the season.”

In the opening game, Fairfield (14-18, 9-3 MAAC) took advantage of a Rider error to score on a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning, breaking a 3-3 tie and giving the Stags a 4-3 victory.

Rider freshman Monica Clark (Bryn Mawr, Pa./Archbishop Carroll), who substituted into the game the previous inning, hit a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs, tying the game 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Fairfield used four hits including a two-run single to left centerfield to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning.

Junior Emily Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River HS South) hit an RBI fielder’s choice, scoring sophomore Amanda Crimarco (Levittown, N.Y./Kellenberg) who reached on a hit by pitch, cutting the Fairfield lead to 2-1.

Cottrell had two hits in the doubleheader.

The Stags took advantage of two Rider errors and hit a one-out RBI single to plate a run in the top of the fifth inning.

Rider made six errors on the day, leading to four unearned runs.

“It’s frustrating,” Carroll said. “We’ve had some close games in conference play and we’ve just fell short. We are a good team and we are one or two plays away. We want to get on the other side of this.”

Fairfield had two hits in the opening inning but the rally was thwarted when senior left fielder Amanda Irving (Westminster, Md./Westminster) threw out the Stag runner at the plate who tried to score on a fly ball with one out.

Irving had two outfield assists in the doubleheader.

Sophomore Delany DeMello (Roseville, Calif./Roseville) scattered 13 hits but only gave up two earned runs while recording one strikeout.

“Delany has been doing well,” said Carroll. “We just need to make the plays behind her. She is going to keep us in ball games.”

The Stags have won 10 in a row over Rider.

Fairfield and Rider last met on April 12, 2014 in Connecticut when the Stags blanked the Broncs twice by 8-0 scores. Fairfield swept Rider in 2013 by 13-4 and 13-1 scores. In 2012, Rider was swept at Fairfield, 1-0 and 7-2. Fairfield swept Rider in Lawrenceville in 2011, winning 3-0 and 5-2 in eight innings. Fairfield and Rider have met 40 times in a series that began in 1998 with the Broncs winning nine times. Rider last defeated the Stags, sweeping a MAAC doubleheader in Connecticut 2-0 (eight innings) and 12-2 in the final games of the 2010 season.

Rider has lost eight in a row and the Broncs travel to Saint Peter’s University on Sunday for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at noon.

“We are going to come out tomorrow and fight through,” Carroll added. “We need more consistent offensive play from a lot of the spots in the lineup. We need to put the ball in play and not strikeout.”

Rider batted .236 (13/55) in the doubleheader, striking out nine times.

With the nicest weather day of the season (Sunny, high 70s) and the bleachers freshly power washed, over 200 fans packed Herb and Joan Young Field as the softball team celebrated Fan Appreciation Day and Alumni Recognition Day with free burgers, hot dogs and soft drinks throughout the doubleheader.

Rider returns home for a non-conference doubleheader against Columbia University Tuesday at 3pm.