March 30, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Rider University 5, Columbia University 1
Columbia University 4, Rider University 0

NEW YORK, NY—The Broncs split a doubleheader at Columbia Thursday. “This was a good challenge for us going into conference play this weekend,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll. “Columbia is always a good team.”

In the first game, Rider scored a run in each of the first three innings, sparked by an RBI single by junior Nichole Mears (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal). “We hit well today, after getting off to a good start,” said Carroll

Rider scored twice in the sixth inning to break open a 3-1 game on RBI singles by seniors Jill Carrabus (Bellport, NY) and Jamie Farley (Clifton).

Senior pitcher Heather Beintema (La Mesa, Calif./Grossmont) allowed just four hits and struck out three. “Heather pitched well again today,” said Carroll.

Carrabus, Mears and junior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester) all had two hits.

In the second game, Boulden had two of Rider’s five hits. “Ashley had a good day defensively (second base) as well as at the plate,” said Carroll.  “She hits out of the very important two spot, where you need a batter to do different things, and she can.”

Columbia (12-14) scored four runs in the first inning on three hits and a Rider error, before Rider freshman pitcher Lauren Brunner (Chino, CA) shut the Lions down the rest of the way, striking out four. “After the first inning Lauren settled down and pitched great,” said Carroll.  “So the good news is she was able to gather herself and pitch very well, the bad news is she got off to a rough start. That’s the way it is with freshmen sometimes.”

Rider (10-9) travels to Western New York to play Niagara and Canisius in a pair of MAAC doubleheaders this weekend. “We’re ready, and the players are excited about this weekend,” said Carroll.  “The real season starts Saturday, and we’ve been getting progressively better.”

-RU-