March 11, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Rider University 4, Saint Joseph’s University2
University of Missouri-KC 6, Rider 3

ORLANDO, FLORIDA—The Broncs split their first two games at the Spring Rebel Games, defeating St. Joe’s before losing to Missouri-Kansas City. “It was great to win the first game of the trip,” said head coach Tricia Carroll. “It felt good.”

Senior Jen Cullen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Immaculata) and junior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester) each had five hits on the day. “Jen and Ashley had very good days at the plate,” said Carroll.

Against Saint Joseph’s, senior pitcher Heather Beintema (La Mesa, Calif./Grossmont) struck out six Hawks for the victory. “Heather pitched well,” said Carroll.  “She lost her composure a little bit at the end, but on the whole she threw well, and we played a solid game behind her.” Beintema now has 49 career wins.

A two-run double by senior Jill Carrabus (Bellport, NY) gave Rider a 2-0 lead in the first inning. “Jill hit that ball well,” Carroll said.

The Broncs went up 3-0 in the third inning on an RBI double by senior Jamie Farley (Clifton).  Farley had two hits in the game.  Rider took a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Cullen.

Sophomore Tiffany Day Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) had two hits for Rider. “Tiffany had a couple nice hits,” Carroll said. Day Neutill was an All-MAAC selection last year as a freshman.

SJU scored twice in the seventh inning on three hits and a Rider error. “The first game we played very we’ll,” Carroll said, “doing it like we’re supposed to, coming up with hits when we needed them.”

Against UMKC, Rider (2-3) built a 3-0 lead but committed four errors. “We kicked the bal around,” said Carroll. “We couldn’t catch the ball and we forgot to cover the base. We looked like the Bad News Bears.”

Rider junior Desiree Harbaugh (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) hit a two-run single in the first inning and Boulden’s RBI single in the second inning made it 3-0.

Freshman Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) was the hard-luck loser. “Lauren did well,” Carroll said. “We built a 3-0 lead and stopped playing. We couldn’t catch the ball for her.”

Rider plays George Washington and Bucknell Sunday.

SJU      000 000 2        2  7  0
RU       201 100 x        4  11  1

RU       210 000 0        3  9  4
MKC   003 102 x        6  8  1

-RU-