Home runs from junior Rosie Gomez and senior Gianna Fazzolari propelled Canisius to a 5-3 victory over Rider in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference softball action Saturday at Sonny Pittaro Field.

The Golden Griffins are now 8-12 overall on the season and 3-2 in league play, while the Broncs dropped to 9-18 and 2-1 in conference play.

Canisius struck first in the top of the first inning with a three-run homer from Gomez that scored Fazzolari and sophomore Madysen Burkey, who both walked earlier in the inning.

Rider got on the board in the bottom of the first with a double from Jadeyn Merrill, which brought home Jessie Niegocki. Kendall Reda-Fehsal tacked on another run in the bottom of the third, scoring Niegocki with a single to make it a 3-2 contest.

Fazzolari extended the Griffs lead back to three in the top of the fifth with a two-run blast to left field, scoring senior Christie McGee-Ross.

The Broncs tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, tacking on one more run on a single from Kiersten Buchanan to trim the deficit to two, but the Griffs were able to hold on and secure the win.

Senior Megan Giese got the start for the Griffs in the circle and earned the win. In seven innings of work, Giese allowed three runs on 11 hits and three walks to go with seven strikeouts.

GAME NOTES
• Canisius is now 42-21 all-time against Rider.
• Gomez's home run moved her into the top-10 in school history and is now tied for seventh with 14.
• Giese's complete game moved her into a tie for fourth all time with 44.
• Fazzolari hit her 23rd career home run with her three-run homer and is now one home run away from matching the school record.
• Sophomore Dani Stefanie recorded her first hit of the season and first in a Canisius uniform.
• Junior Emily Ilano extended her on base streak to nine straight games with a hit by pitch.
 

UP NEXT
Canisius stays on the road to face Syracuse Wednesday in a midweek matchup in Syracuse, N.Y. First pitch is slated for noon.

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