April 9, 2005
Box Score
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - The Marist softball team (10-14, 2-0 MAAC) swept visiting Rider 3-2, 9-3 in a doubleheader today at Gartland Field in the MAAC opener for both teams. C Jasmery Polanco went five for six with four RBI to power Marist to its first 2-0 start in conference play since 1998. Freshman Megan Rigos earned both wins while 3B Chrystine McHugh homered and extended her hitting streak to 17 games.
Rider jumped on the scoreboard first in Game 1, scoring twice with two out in the top of the first. The Red Foxes would get those runs back in their first turn at bat, however, on Polanco's two-run single to right field. Marist would add the game-winning run in the bottom of the second as SS Katie Eskin doubled to left center, scoring McHugh.
Rigos was dominant over the last six innings, holding the Broncs scoreless on three hits. For the game, Rigos surrendered two runs, both unearned, on six hits while striking out five and walking none. Heather Beintema took the loss for Rider, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits. She struck out eight and walked seven. Polanco was three for three with two RBI while Eskin was two for four with an RBI and McHugh one for two with two runs scored.
McHugh got the Red Foxes started with a bang in the nightcap, hammering a Beintema pitch over the right-center field wall for a leadoff home run, her second of the season. Marist added a second run in the inning when Eskin knocked her second double of the day and was immediately singled home by Polanco.
Four runs in the bottom of the second put the Red and White ahead to stay and chased Beintema from the game. LF Christine Jakobsen drew a bases-loaded walk, followed by Eskin's RBI sacrifice fly, giving Marist a 4-0 lead before Rider CF Tiffany Day-Neutill dropped DP Bridget Hurlman's deep fly ball and allowed two more runs to score.
Rider would mount a comeback attempt as RF Jennifer Cullen and 1B Jamie Farley each hit solo home runs in the top of the third and 2B Ashley Boulden came up with an RBI single in the fourth to draw the visitors within 6-3. Marist head coach Melissa Tucci then brought Rigos in to relieve starter Kristen Merlino and the Pittsburgh native would again shut the Broncs down. Over the last three and a third innings, Rigos (8-9, 3.12 ERA) gave up no runs on just one hit and a walk while fanning one. Merlino allowed three runs on seven hits.
Marist added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth as Eskin and Polanco hit back-to-back RBI singles and pinch runner Whitney Vecchione came home on an error.
Eskin was two for three with two RBI and two runs scored, Polanco two for three with two RBI and McHugh two for three with three runs and an RBI. Cullen was the star at the plate for Rider, going three for three with her first home run of the year.
Marist is back in action Tuesday, April 12, hosting Columbia in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Gartland Field.
