Rider University 6, Long Island University 2

April 8, 2008

 

BROOKLYN, NY— Freshman John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI)  hit a two-run double following an intentional walk to break a 2-2 tie, leading Rider to victory at LIU Tuesday. Ralston had three RBI in the game.

 

“It was a solid win for us,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We played pretty good after a slow start. This is a tough place to come in and win.”

 

Rider (14-13) junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, his third of the season and second in two games, for the final score. “Mo is getting some things done at the plate,” Davis said.”That home run gave us a nice cushion.”

 

The Broncs took a 5-2 lead in the eighth inning when senior Jon Leise (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford) singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep).

 

In the seventh inning sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) walked and stole second, and with two outs and an open base LIU walked Williams intentionally to pitch to Ralston. Ralston’s double gave Rider a 4-2 lead. “That was a really big hit by Ralston,” Davis said. “He jumped on the first pitch and drove it in the gap. He takes good swings.”

 

Rider tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth inning when Olson walked, went to third on a single by freshman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock), and scored on Ralston’s ground ball. Heyne then scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Steve Galella (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial).

 

Heyne and junior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) each had two of Rider’s seven hits.

 

LIU (8-18) scored one run in the first inning on a single, stolen base and an RBI single, and took a 2-0 lead in the third inning with an unearned run on a bases loaded walk.

 

Sophomore Ryan Miller (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) pitched four shutout innings of relief for the victory. “That’s the best Ryan has thrown in a while,” Davis said.

 

Junior Derek Caldwell (Allentown, Pa./Salisbury) started and pitched five innings and allowed just one earned run, striking out five. “Derek got better as the game went on,” Davis said. “He pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning.”

 

Rider travels to Iona for a three-game MAAC series this weekend, beginning with a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday.

 

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