February 23, 2007 - Elon 5 Rider 2 / Rider 8 Georgetown 5
February 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Softball
Elon 5, Rider University 2
Rider 8, Georgetown University 5
Ashley Boulden Career Hit #100
BURLINGTON, N.C.—The Broncs split two games on day one of the Elon Invitational in North Carolina, defeating the Hoyas of Georgetown 8-5 in the nightcap after falling to the host Phoenix of Elon 5-2 in the opener. "I was happy with the effort," said head coach Tricia Carroll. "Being the first time outside, we had to make some adjustments but overall, I was pleased with some of the things we were able to do."
For Rider in game two, junior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) picked up the win with three and one-third innings of relief, recording three strikeouts. Holland entered the game with Rider down 4-1 before the Broncs rallied with five runs in the sixth inning with the Hoyas walking three runs in.
"Laura Magliozzi (Granger, Ind./John Adams) had a nice second game," said Carroll. "Her hit started the five-run inning against Georgetown."
"It was great to get outside and play on dirt," said Holland. "The first game was a little shacky but overall I think we did a good job. My teammates got some insurance runs for me and I was able to get us the win."
In the first game, down 3-1, Rider (1-1) scored one in the fifth on an RBI single by senior Ashley Boulden (Brooklawn, N.J./Gloucester) to get within one at 3-2 before Elon put the game away with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. For Boulden it was the 100th hit in her career, the 38th Bronc to reach the century mark in softball.
"Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) struggled a little on the mound in the opener, not a lot was working and she walked in a run, but again it was her first time on dirt in eight months so it will take some time before she gets her timing down," said Carroll.
"Being a young team and being outside the first time, there are always some issues and you expect that," Carroll added. "But I think the freshman were more excited than nervous and overall we made some nice plays defensively."
The tournament continues with two games on Saturday with the final round Sunday afternoon.
"It's going to take some time for us to work out who is batting where," Carroll said. "The important thing was getting the games in and playing live, on grass and dirt and not in the gym because that's how we are going to get better."
Rider will play Ohio University on Saturday at 11:00am before moving into the bracket round of the tournament at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Ohio defeated Georgetown 2-1 and the host Elon Phoenix 9-2 on Friday. Due to rain in the forcast, the bracket games scheduled for Sunday will also be completed on Saturday.
-RU-
Rider 0 1 0 0 1 5 1 8 11 0
Georgetown 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 5 9 0
2B-None 3B-None HR-None
Win-Holland Loss-N/A
