February 17, 2006 - San Diego State 20 Rider 2
February 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Softball
San Diego State University 20, Rider University 2
SANTA BARBARA, CA—The Broncs began the 2006 season losing to San Diego State in the Softball By The Beach Invitational, hosted by the University of California Santa Barbara. The game against the host UCSB Gauchos was canceled due to rain. “We want to play the toughest competition we can, and we are,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. “This experience will help us when we get back home and start conference games.”
Rider played San Diego State in the 2003 NCAA Tournament, losing 2-1 in the season finale.
Against SDSU (5-1) Friday, junior Desiree Harbaugh (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) scored both of Rider’s runs, the first on a double steal in the third inning.
Harbaugh scored in the fifth inning after reaching base on a single. Freshman Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) doubled in her collegiate debut, and Harbaugh scored on a single by freshman pitcher Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino).
Brunner kept SDSU off the board for two innings, before giving up 13 runs on 10 hits in the third, as the Aztecs hit five home runs. “Lauren is going to be a good college pitcher, but today was more of a learning experience,” said Carroll. “She had a good start but then she began putting the ball down the middle. She learned quickly that when you make mistakes at this level they end up over the fence.”
Rider senior Jamie Farley (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) singled to break up the no-hitter in the fourth inning.
Senior Jen Cullen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Immaculata), a preseason All-MAAC selection, also singled for Rider and stole a base.
Rider is scheduled to play Cal State Northridge Saturday at 12 noon EST and Tulsa at 5pm. “We want to show we can compete out here,” Carroll said.
-RU-
