A Message from Head Coach Davon Ortega:
Greetings Rider Softball Alums!
Every year at this time I find myself saying the same
thing – I can’t believe another softball season has already come and gone! Your
2024 RUSB squad did some tremendous things this year, including earning the
highest MAAC Tournament seed (#3) since 2006 and the second highest in the
program’s 27-year history in the league. We earned the second most wins in my
seven-year tenure at Rider and the 2024 season was the sixth time in my seven
years that we exceeded the expectation of the MAAC by finishing in third place
when we were selected to finish seventh. Four of our players were selected to
MAAC All-Conference teams (two on 2nd Team and two All-Rookie Team)
and one of our sophomores was selected to the NFCA All-Northeast Region 2nd
Team. We finished 1st in the MAAC in pitching staff ERA and 2nd
in the MAAC in team batting average.
Perhaps overshadowed by our on-field accomplishments,
is all of the work our team did in the classroom. We are proud to report our
highest team GPA of a 3.60 for the 2023-2024 academic year! Thirteen players
earned a 3.5 GPA or higher during the spring softball season. Needless to say –
RUSB had a great year! The most amazing part of all of this is that we only
lose two players to graduation and seven of our nine starters all return. The
future of this program is very bright!
My staff and I are confident that we have officially
turned the corner of making RUSB a consistent contender, not only in the MAAC,
but nationally as well. But, as with every year, financial challenges continue
to bestow themselves upon us. We’re in the final days of the Athletic
Department’s Raise Your Game Challenge and we greatly need the help of our
alumni. In order for us to maintain the highest level of training and
competition, we’re asking for your support in the form of a donation. All funds
go directly to the Softball booster account, which helps us with meals, travel,
gear and equipment, new uniforms, and new technology. Each donation above $35
from our alums will count toward our goal of getting 15 alumni donations, which
will earn us an extra $1,500 from the Athletics Department.
There are ONLY 2 days left to make your donation count
toward the challenge – simply click the ‘MAKE A GIFT’ button and donate today!
Thank you to all who have already donated and as
always, thank you all for your continued support of the Rider Softball program.
Coach Ortega