April 10, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Rider University 2, Marist College 1
Marist College 9, Rider University 3

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader with Marist Monday, ending the Red Foxes’ 15-game winning streak . “All day the intensity and the energy level was much better, where it needs to be,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll.

In the first game, senior Heather Beintema (La Mesa, CA/Grossmont) struck out nine in the complete game victory. “Heather pitched well, throwing with confidence,” said Carroll. “She shut down some big bats.”

Senior Jamie Farley (Clifton) led off the sixth inning with a single, junior Nichole Mears (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) followed with a single, and senior Jill Carrabus (Bellport, NY) walked to lead the bases.  Sophomore Mandi Sekley (Canyon County, CA) was then hit by a pitch by the top pitcher in the MAAC, Megan Rigos, scoring the eventual winning run.

Rigos entered the doubleheader with an earned run average of 0.86 and a record of 14-2. “She’s a good pitcher,” said Carroll. “Our game plan was to try and rattle her by hitting the ball hard.”

Marist tied the score at 1-1 in the fifth inning on an RBI triple by Annie Castellano.

Carrabus hit an RBI single in the fourth inning to give Rider a 1-0 lead. “Jill made some good contact today,” said Carroll. “That was good to see.”

Farley, Carrabus and senior Jen Cullen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Immaculata) all had two hits each for Rider. “Jen had a good day at the plate,” Carroll said. Cullen had four of Rider’s 11 hits in the doubleheader.

In the second game, Marist (23-6, 7-1 MAAC) hit four home runs, two by Jasmery Polanco. Chrystine McHugh led off the first inning with a home run and Polanco hit a two-run homer to give the Red Foxes a 3-0 lead in the first. Polanco’s second home run made it 5-0 in the third inning.

Marist pitcher Caitlin Carpenter had a no-hitter going until Jen Cullen singled with two outs in the fifth inning, and junior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn/Gloucester) hit a two-run double to cut the lead to 5-3.  Cullen had two hits in the second game for Rider (13-16, 2-6 MAAC).

Rigos pitched the final two innings for the save, her third.

Rider hosts Delaware Wednesday.

-RU-