The Columbia softball team (10-25, 2-10 Ivy) will face off against Eastern College Athletic Conference opponent Rider University(10-23-1). The Light Blue hope to avenge two earlier losses to the Rider Broncos earlier this season at the Rebel Games in Florida.
On March 14, Columbia was edged by Rider in a 2-1 loss. Second baseman Alison Lam used a leadoff walk, a steal, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly from junior infielder Karen Tulig to score the Lions’ only run of the game. Tulig sustained a fractured jaw after sliding into third base in the top of the fourth inning and has been sidelined ever since.
In the bottom of the inning, Rider tied the game by cashing in Amanda Centeno’s leadoff single, and took the win on a walk-off home run from catcher Sam Pugh with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Centeno has a .372 batting average with one home run and 15 RBI this season. Rachael Matreale pitched seven complete innings in the win, and leads her team with a 2.72 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched this season.
Columbia suffered a shutout the next day, losing 7-0. Sam Bennett allowed just five hits in seven complete innings for her only win of the season. She has struggled since, allowing 42 earned runs in the 34 1/3 innings outside in her other nine appearances.
The Broncos’ offense has been impressive this season, with three players hitting over .300. Heather Muscara leads the team with a .397 batting average along with two home runs and 20 RBI. Brittany Eckett has been the most productive hitter for Rider, with a team-high eight home runs, 32 RBI, and .695 slugging percentage in 34 games this season.
Outside of Matreale, Rider’s pitching has not been nearly as impressive as their hitting. Bennett, Rachel Coleman, and Kelsey Krisch have ERAs over 6.00, pushing the team ERA to 4.80 overall.
The doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m. at the Baker Athletics Complex.
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