April 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
University of Delaware 9, Rider University 7
Rider University 7, University of Delaware 6

LAWRENCEVILLE—On a day when nine home runs were hit and 29 runs were scored, it took a petite freshman pitcher changing speeds to knock off the powerful Fightin’ Blue Hens from the University of Delaware Wednesday. “Our offense showed up today, and Lo was very effective with her change-up today,” said Rider head coach Tricia Carroll.

Rider freshman pitcher Lauren Brunner (Chino, CA) struck out six Delaware batters, mostly on change-ups, and allowed just three earned runs for her first collegiate win, as Rider split the doubleheader with Delaware (25-13). “Lo’s change of speeds worked very well today,” said Carroll. “She’s going to be a very effective college pitcher. She has had some good outings lately and is starting to come around. She has a good fastball and mixed with her change-up makes her tough to hit.”

“My screwball is my best pitch,” said Brunner. “Today Coach wanted me to use more change-ups, and it was really working today.  I usually throw three or four change-ups a game, but today I threw close to 30 change-ups. It really kept them off balance. I’m excited about getting the first win. It finally happened.”

In the second game Rider (14-17) scored four runs in the fifth inning on six hits to take a 7-5 lead, as junior Desiree Harbaugh (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson), sophomore Mandi Sekley (Canyon County, CA) and sophomore Aimee Schiller (Moreno Valley, CA) all had RBI singles in the fifth.

The Broncs took a 2-1 lead in the first inning of game two on a home run by sophomore Tiffany Day Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian), and tied the score at 3-3 in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Harbaugh, her second of the day. “Des has been solid all year, and Tiff’s home run was a beautiful at bat, where she got behind with two strikes and didn’t try to do too much. She just got her hands out and stroked it over the fence.”

In the first game, Rider scored four runs in the fourth inning when senior Jill Carrabus (Bellport, NY) hit a three-run home run and Harbaugh followed with her first solo home run of the day. “Our big bats came alive today,” said Carroll. “The middle of our line up has not been as effective as we all had hoped, but today it was.”

Carrabus had two of Rider’s six hits in the first game, and had three hits and three runs scored o the day.

Rider cut the lead to 8-7 in the sixth inning on a three-run home run by senior Kristen Kenavan (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville).

Delaware jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a fourth inning grand slam by Kim Ovittore.

Rider plays at Rutgers Thursday. “It was nice to see this intensity from start to finish today,” said Carroll.

-RU-