April 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Temple University 11, Rider University 7

LAWRENCEVILLE--The conference handbook may say the playoffs start on May 12th but for the Rider Bronc softball team, the playoffs begin on Thursday.  Rider tuned up for the playoff run by taking on the Owls of Temple in a single game Tuesday.

In a game that had as many runs scored between the two teams (eight) as outs recorded by the second inning, Rider (15-22) dropped a wild one, falling to Temple (16-21), 11-7 after bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning.

For the Broncs, senior Jen Cullen (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Immaculata) went three for five with two runs scored.  Also for the Broncs, freshman Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) and senior Jamie Farley (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) each had two hits with junior Nichole Mears (Simi Valley, Calif./Royal) adding a double.

“We are taking each game one pitch at a time,” said freshman Katy Mills.  “Every game is important from here on out.”

With the probability that Rider needs 10 wins to make the MAAC playoffs and a 2-6 record in the conference with eight games remaining, even the non-math majors on the team know where the season stands.

“We need to keep the momentum going to win the next eight games,” Mills added.  “We have to stay up every second, every pitch of every inning is important if we are going to have a chance to make the MAAC playoffs.”

“I was actually pretty pleased how we hit the ball today,” said head coach Tricia Carroll after the Broncs had eight hits with Temple making six errors.  “We hit the ball hard and created things for ourselves.  Katy hit the ball hard and got a couple of hits, she’s been getting solid contact but hitting it right at people, so today was a good day for her.  She has been working very hard all season.”

Down 11-5, the Broncs rallied with two in the seventh on an RBI fielder’s choice by Cullen and three Temple errors to load the bases with two outs before Temple starter Ashleigh Porter was able to get the third out.  Porter had re-entered the game at pitcher earlier in the seventh inning to earn the save.  Temple pitching did not allow an earned run on the day with Rider leaving 12 runners on base.

Rider spotted the Owls a two-run first inning lead, before taking a 3-2 lead on two Temple errors and a double steal.  Temple battled back with three in the second and third innings to take an 8-3 lead.

“I don’t expect to get down,” said Carroll.  “My expectation is that we will put it together; we are letting teams get to us emotionally and letting making one mistake lead to multiple errors.  We are starting to work through that better and we were able to battle back.  The players are starting to understand that we want to win every pitch.  Half the conference season is coming down to six days, it is what it is, if we stay in control of our emotions and our mental attitude, the other things will take care of themselves.”

The Broncs travel to Iona on Thursday to start their eight-game run for the playoffs.

-RU-