April 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Lehigh University 5, Rider University 2
Rider University 7, Lehigh University 1

LAWRENCEVILLE— Momentum.  Playing against a highly regarded Lehigh team, the Broncs gained a crucial doubleheader split on Wednesday, winning 7-1 in game two to gain momentum entering the weekend where every conference game will be a must win situation.

For Rider (15-21) in game two, senior Heather Beintema (La Mesa, Calif./Grossmont) pitched a complete game four-hitter after throwing no-hit ball through the first four innings.  Beintema allowed only one unearned run to record her 10th win of the season, recording four strikeouts on the day.

“We definitely needed to win the second game,” said head coach Tricia Carroll.  “This was a good split; Lehigh is a very good team.  This sets us up for the weekend and it’s must win situations.  It’s one game at a time but we still have to find the 10 league wins somewhere.  I have all the confidence in the world that we can do it, we just have to work hard and build on the positives that we had today.”  Rider enters the weekend 2-6 in the MAAC with eight games remaining on the conference schedule.

Sophomore Mandi Sekly (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon) had two hits, including a two-run double in the second game with senior Jen Cullen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Immaculata) also adding two hits in the nightcap.

“The second game was huge,” said Sekly a sophomore outfielder who is majoring in advertising.  “Lehigh is really good team and Heather [Beintema] pitched really well.  We were able to bunch hits together instead of getting a hit here and there.  The first game was disappointing but the fact that we were able to bounce back behind Heather gives us momentum going into the weekend.”

Lehigh (29-11) jumped out to a 5-0 second inning lead and held off a late Bronc rally to win the opener 5-2.  Lisa Sweeney pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts for the Mountain Hawks, picking up her 20th win of the season. 

For Rider, junior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester) had three hits in the doubleheader, including two hits in game one.

“The batting order worked a little better in the second game,” added Carroll who is in her 12th season at Rider.  “We had players who were capable of putting the ball in play and making contact.  In the first game we missed spots on about three pitches.  Laci [Landrum] struggled early but was able to settle down.  She hung in there and has done a nice job for us.  We battled against Sweeney, she is similar to Becky Riccitelli of Iona, who we are going to see this coming weekend, so that helps that we have seen that type of pitcher.  We gave them a couple of extra batters by not making plays and coming back from a two or three run deficit is much easier than a 5-0 deficit.”

Rider travels to Iona and Fairfield for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday.

“It is really important to come out strong in every game,” said Beintema who picked up her 58th career win.  “We have four huge games this weekend and today was important to gain momentum and gain a win.”

-RU-