Rider Players Honored by the MAAC

Sophomore Amanda Irving and freshman Emily Cottrell of the Rider University softball team were named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player and Rookie of the Week respectively for all games played the last week of March, it was announced on Monday afternoon.

Irving, (Westminster, Md./Westminster) a 5-4 first and second baseman, batted .636 for the week as Rider split four games, including two at Saint Peter's to open MAAC play.

Against Hartford, in the second game of a doubleheader, Irving went four for four with two RBI and a run scored as the Broncs salvaged a split with the Hawks.

Against the Peacocks on Saturday, Irving had two hits, two walks and three runs scored as Rider opened conference play 1-1.

For the week, Irving slugged .727 and had an on-base percentage of .692.

Cottrell (Beachwood/Toms River High School South), a 5-5 third baseman, entered the week with only five hits on the season and took care of that stat with seven hits in 10 at-bats over the four games for a .700 average.

Cottrell went three for three with five RBI and hit her first two collegiate home runs as the Broncs won game two against Hartford and she added four hits in five at-bats as Rider split two MAAC games at Saint Peter's.

For the week, Cottrell had three runs scored and nine RBI and slugged 1.500, raising her average by almost 100 points.

This is the second week in a row that a Rider softball player has been honored with MAAC Rookie of the Week honors as freshman Dana Sensi (Allentown) was recognized for all games played March 18-24.

Winners of two out of its last three games, Rider travels to Lehigh Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader.