March 8, 2006 - Rider 6 Drexel 5
March 8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Softball
Rider University 6, Drexel University 5
LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs won the 2006 home opener Wednesday, defeating Drexel in a come-from-behind victory in the bottom of the last inning. The second game of the doubleheader was called in the third inning for darkness.
Rider junior Desiree Harbaugh (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score at 5-5. “It was a pressure situation but I was feeling good and I was seeing the ball well,” said Harbaugh. “In that situation I’m just trying to put the ball in play. I just wanted to get a hit and keep the inning going.”
Harbaugh kept the inning going, and eventually scored the game-winning run on a bases loaded walk issued to freshman Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino). Harbaugh has gotten off to a good start, batting .500. “This season we are a veteran team with the seniors providing a lot of team leadership,” said Harbaugh.
“Des is one of our better power hitters,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. “She has a very good bat and is smart at the plate.”
Junior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester) gave Rider a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a solo home run. “Ashley had a good day at the plate,” Carroll said. Boulden had three hits in the game.
Boulden and sophomore Tiffany Day Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) each had three hits for the Broncs. Day-Neutill had two doubles. “Tiffany is our number three hitter for a reason,” said Carroll. “She’s a very good hitter with power who can go the other way, and has good speed.”
The Broncs took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning on RBI singles by Harbaugh and junior Nichole Mears (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal).
Freshman Laci Landrum (Grand Praire, Texas/So. Grand Praire) earned the victory in relief, pitching the final two and two-thirds innings without allowing an earned run.
Drexel (1-5) scored five runs in the fifth inning on five hits and two Rider errors to take a 5-3 lead.
Rider (1-2) travels to Orlando for the Spring Rebel Games March 10-17. “It was good to get that first win out of the way before we head to Florida,” said Carroll. “The first one is always the toughest.”
-RU-
