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Kean Claims 2008 NJAC Championship

Newark, N.J. (5/5/08) - Top seeded Kean University Cougars avenged two regular season losses and came out swinging, defeating second seeded Montclair State University, 12-4, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship game.

With the win, Kean (34-9) claims both the regular season and tournament title for the first time in program history.  This win also gives the Cougars the conference's automatic bid into the upcoming NCAA Division III Tournament.

After trading runs in the first inning, Kean went ahead for good, plating three runs in the bottom of the third.  Senior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) broke the 1-1 tie with a bases-loaded single to drive in two.  Ammirata would later come around and score on a Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.) single.

The Cougars added plenty of insurance recording eight runs over the next three frames.  Freshman designated hitter Gabe Ramirez (North Bergen, N.J.) punched out his second homerun of the tournament, a two-run shot, to highlight the offense.

On the hill, senior Andy Cupido (South Plainfield, N.J.) picked up the win after tossing seven solid innings.  Cupido (3-0) allowed three runs and nine hits while striking out five and walking three.  Junior Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) closed out the final two innings allowing an unearned run with five strikeouts.

Offensively, Ammirata was 1-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored while teammate Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.  For the Red Hawks (26-16), senior Mike Nunes (Hazlet, N.J.) had two hits in the loss.

Kean will await the tournament pairings when they are announced early next week.  The Mid-Atlantic Regional will be hosted by Kean University at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J. beginning on Wednesday, May 14^th.

Rutgers Baseball Falls to Seton Hall, 4-0

Media Release April 27  http://scarletknights.com

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Seton Hall pitcher Corey Young struck out a career-high 13 and limited Rutgers to four hits as the Scarlet Knights fell to the Pirates, 4-0, Saturday night at Owen T. Carroll Field to snap RU's four-game winning streak. 

The Pirates' hurler retired the Scarlet Knights in order in the first, third and sixth innings, scattering just four hits in eight scoreless innings of work as SHU improved to 27-16 overall and 13-7 in the BIG EAST. RU, which took Friday' series opener, moved to 17-22-1 overall and 7-10 in the league. 

After three scoreless innings, Rutgers threatened to push across the first run of the game in the fourth. RU loaded the bases with two outs, but Young got Jayson Hernandez (Belmar, N.J.) to ground out to second base to end the inning.

Seton Hall's Matt Skopak hit a one-out triple down the right-field line in the bottom half of the inning and scored one pitch later on a Sean Gusrang sacrifice fly to center to put the Pirates up, 1-0. 

Rider University 3, Niagara University 2;Rider University 9, Niagara University 3

College Baseball April 26, 2008
 

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs swept Niagara in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday. 

Freshman shortstop John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) collected five hits and freshman third baseman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) had a pair of home runs, as the left side of the Rider infield accounted for nine hits, five RBI and six runs scored in the twinbill. “

In the first game, with bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) grounded out to shortstop, scoring junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) with the winning run. The middle infielders were at double-play depth but the ball was hit too slowly for a double play, but too deep to cut down the runner at home.

Niagara took a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning when a ground ball hit first base with two runners on, the third hit of the inning by the Purple Eagles.

Rider tied the score at 1-1 in the seventh inning when Ralston singled, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by freshman Steve Galella (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial). Ralston and Galella each had two of Rider’s seven hits.

Niagara took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run.

Freshman Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) got the win, striking out the only batter he faced to end the top of the ninth inning.

Junior Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square, N.J./Steinert) pitched eight and two-thirds innings, striking out four without allowing a walk.

In the second game, Rider (23-16, 11-6 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Ralston hit an RBI double and Galella followed with an RBI single.

Ralston is batting .318 with runners in scoring position, 48 points higher than his .270 batting average.

In the third inning Rider scored four runs on four hits, including another RBI double by Ralston and an RBI triple by Williams to take a 6-0 lead. It was the second triple for Williams this week.

Junior Jimmer Kennedy (Levittown, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) pitched a complete game, striking out five without allowing a walk

Heyne hit his second home run of the day and his fifth of the season to lead off the fifth inning, giving Rider a 9-2 lead, but no one congratulated him when he reached home plate or the dugout. “Yea, they gave me the silent treatment,” Heyne said. “I don’t think they would have done that if it was still a close game. We were playing well so everyone was goofing around a little bit.”

Rider hosts Niagara (17-20, 6-8 MAAC) in the third game of the series Sunday at 12 noon.

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Rider University 3, Niagara University 2;Rider University 9, Niagara University 3

College Baseball

LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs swept

Niagara

in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.

 

Freshman shortstop John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) collected five hits and freshman third baseman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) had a pair of home runs, as the left side of the Rider infield accounted for nine hits, five RBI and six runs scored in the twinbill.

 

In the first game, with bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning, sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) grounded out to shortstop, scoring junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) with the winning run. The middle infielders were at double-play depth but the ball was hit too slowly for a double play, but too deep to cut down the runner at home. “Matt put the ball in play and when you do that good things happen,”

Davis

said.

 

Heyne led off the ninth inning with a home run, tying the score at 2-2.

 

“I was feeling good at the plate today,” Heyne said. “I thought it was going to be off the fence so I was running hard to first until I heard everyone screaming and hollering. I’m seeing the ball pretty well right now.”

 

Niagara took a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth inning when a ground ball hit first base with two runners on, the third hit of the inning by the Purple Eagles.

 

Rider tied the score at 1-1 in the seventh inning when Ralston singled, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by freshman Steve Galella (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial). Ralston and Galella each had two of Rider’s seven hits.

 

Niagara

took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run.

 

McCollum made a diving catch in left-centerfield and threw out the base runner on second base to end the eighth inning.

Freshman Mike Thomas (

Forest Hill

,

Md.

/Fallston) got the win, striking out the only batter he faced to end the top of the ninth inning.

Junior Mike Petrowski (

Hamilton Square

, N.J./Steinert) pitched eight and two-thirds innings, striking out four without allowing a walk.

In the second game, Rider (23-16, 11-6 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Ralston hit an RBI double and Galella followed with an RBI single.

In the third inning Rider scored four runs on four hits, including another RBI double by Ralston and an RBI triple by Williams to take a 6-0 lead. It was the second triple for Williams this week.

 

Junior Jimmer Kennedy (

Levittown

, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) pitched a complete game, striking out five without allowing a walk. “

 

Rider hosts

Niagara

(17-20, 6-8 MAAC) in the third game of the series Sunday at 12 noon.

 

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Rider’s Heyne MAAC Rookie of Week

April 21 Media Release

 

 LAWRENCEVILLE—Mason Heyne, a freshman third baseman on the Rider University baseball team, was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for all games played April 14-20.

 

 Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) batted .636 last week with 14 hits and six RBI in five games. With a home run and a double his slugging percentage for the week was .818.

 

 In the three-game MAAC series at Fairfield, Heyne batted .500 with seven hits and four runs batted in.

 

 In the third game of the Fairfield series his two-run home run in the eighth inning tied the score at 10-10, and he collected his third hit of the game in the 10^th inning.

 

 In the first game of the Fairfield series his two-run single gave Rider a 3-2 lead.

 

 In a non-conference win over NJIT Heyne was four for four with a double and a walk.

 

 For the season Heyne is batting a team-high .359 with 47 hits in 33 starts at third base and leads the team with 13 doubles. His 26 RBI ranks second on the team and his .527 slugging percentage is second on the 20-15 squad.

 

 Rider hosts Monmouth Tuesday and LIU Wednesday.

 

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College Baseball: Rider Sweeps Fairfield U in Saturday's Doubleheader

Media Release April 19th

Rider Reaches 20 Wins

 

FAIRFIELD, CT—The Broncs scored 29 runs to sweep Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.The pair of wins gives Rider 20 for the season in just 34 games, the fastest to 20 wins for the Broncs since beginning the 1995 season 20-11.

In the first game, Rider batted around in the eighth inning, scoring six runs to take a 16-7 lead. Fairfield scored two runs in the ninth inning on a double and home run for the final score.

 

Rider broke a 6-6 tie with four runs in the seventh inning on three hits and two Stag errors, the biggest hit of the inning a two-run single by sophomore Eric Woodrow (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West). Woodrow hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to blow the game open, 15-7.

 

Junior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to give Rider a 13-7 lead. It was Olson’s eighth home run of the season, the most by a Bronc since Scott Rich hit 15 in 2004. ”

 

Rider took a 6-4 lead in the fifth inning on a two-run home run by junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional), his fourth of the year.

 

Rider took a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI double by sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee).

 

Trailing 2-0, Rider took a 3-2 lead in the third inning when senior David Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./American Heritage) hit an RBI double and freshman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) hit a two-run single, all with two outs.

Heyne, Woodrow and McCollum each had three of Rider’s 17 hits in the first game. Rider scored nine of its first 10 runs with two outs, and 13 of the 17 in the game with two outs. “Clutch hits with two outs are huge,” Davis said.

 

Heyne was four for eight in the doubleheader and is 14 for his last 23.

 

Junior pitcher Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square, N.J./Steinert) started and went five and one-third innings, striking out six and left the game with a 6-4 lead. Petrowski now has 24 strikeouts in his last 19.2 innings.

 

Freshman Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) got the win in relief, his third, pitching three and two-thirds innings, striking out four.

 

In the second game, junior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) hit a grand slam home run in the third inning to give the Broncs (20-14, 9-5 MAAC) a 9-0 lead. “Jamie had a big hit to open it up,” Davis said. “That took it from 5-0 to 9-0.”

 

A two-run double by D. Hayes gave Rider a 12-2 lead in the fifth inning.

 

Junior Jimmer Kennedy (Levittown, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) struck out seven in a seven-inning complete game, earning his team-high fourth win of the season and the 14^th of his career.

 

Rider scored three runs in the first inning on four hits, the biggest hits being RBI singles by Williams and D. Hayes. 

 

Another RBI by D. Hayes in the second inning made it 4-0 and an RBI single by Williams made it 5-0 in the third inning. D. Hayes had six RBI on the day, while Williams had five.

 

Fairfield (10-24, 8-6 MAAC) scored two runs in the third inning on a pair of hits, a walk and a hit batsman to break up the shutout.

 

Rider senior Jon Leise (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford) scored three runs in the second game.

 

Freshman John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI), J. Hayes, D. Hayes and Williams each had two of Rider’s 12 hits in the second game.

 

Rider has now won seven of the last eight games, nine of the last 12 and 12 of the last 17 games. “We came off a good series at Iona and kept the momentum going for this series,” Davis said.

 

The Broncs have defeated the Stags 34 times in 49 meetings but Fairfield swept the series with Rider 3-0 to end the Broncs’ 2007 season. “

The third game of the series at Fairfield is Sunday at 12 noon.

 

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Rider University 8, NJIT 1

Media Release April 16

 

LAWRENCEVILLE— Junior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) collected five hits and freshman pitcher Patrick Devlin (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock North) won his first collegiate start as the Broncs defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology Wednesday. “It was a good, solid game,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We played pretty good defense, we pitched well, we hit the ball with two outs and with two strikes. A fairly complete game.”

 

The three, four and five hitters in the Rider (18-14) line up were a combined 12 for 14, led by Olson’s three doubles, giving him 10 doubles on the season. “That’s what you want out of your three-four-five hitters,”

Davis

said. “We would certainly like to carry that into the weekend.”

 

Rider travels to

Fairfield CT

for a three-game series with the Stags Saturday and Sunday. “I think

Fairfield

’s second in the conference so we have to play our best up there,” Olson said.

College Baseball: Rider Sweeps Iona

Rider University 4, Iona College 3 (8 innings)

Rider University 16, Iona College 8

 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY-- Junior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) hit two home runs and a double to lead Rider to a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference wins over Iona Sunday, as the Broncs swept the three game series. “That’s our goal every weekend, to sweep the series,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.  “It’s tough to come up here and win three games. On the road, three wins, you gotta like that.”

 

In the first game, a scheduled seven inning contest, Olson hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie. With two outs sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) singled and scored on Olson's first home run of the day. “Olson came up with a huge hit,” Davis said.

 

Junior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) moved from right field to the mound in the seventh inning and stuck out the first batter he faced before allowing a double, then retired the next two batters. “He pitched out of it,” Davis said. “The big play of that inning doesn’t even show up in the box score. They had the winning run on third base and a ground ball to shortstop took a bad hop but (sophomore Garrett) Rugg fought it off and made a great play. He misses that ball, we lose.”

 

Iona scored a run in the eighth inning on a walk and a double before Hayes ended the game with a strikeout, his third.  “Iona’s record (1-28,1-11 MAAC) is not indicative of how they play,” Davis said. “The first two games of the series were tough wins.”

 

With the win Hayes improves to 3-0 with six saves.

 

Rider tied the score at 2-2 in the seventh inning when freshman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) doubled. Freshman A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) pinch ran and went to third on a single by junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) and scored on a ground out by freshman John Ralston (Annadale, VA/Paul VI)..

 

Iona scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead.

 

The Broncs took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a two-out solo home run by Heyne, his second of the season. Heyne had two of Rider's six hits in the first game.

 

Rider junior Jimmer Kennedy (Levittown, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) pitched six innings and struck out five without allowing a walk, leaving the game with the score tied at 2-2.

 

In the second game Rider (17-13, 7-5 MAAC) scored three runs in the third inning when senior David Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./American Heritage) hit a two-run home run and Olson followed with his second home run of the day and his seventh of the season, giving Rider a 7-3 lead. David Hayes had three hits in the second game.

 

The Broncs broke the game open with three runs in the fourth inning on one hit, an RBI single by Jamie Hayes, an error and a pair of walks, two runs in the fifth on an error and two more hits, the biggest hit a double by Heyne, two runs in the sixth on two hits and a sacrifice fly by Heyne and two more runs in the seventh on one hit, an RBI single by Jamie Hayes, to take a 16-5 lead. “We swung the bats a little bit in the second game,” Davis said. “Heyne had good at bats. He hit the ball the other way and came within five feet of hitting another home run.”

 

Rider junior pitcher Dan Sasso (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown) earned the win in relief, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on three hits, striking out three without allowing a walk. “Sasso came in and held them at bay, allowing us to get the bats moving a little bit,” Davis said. “His outing was a real plus for us.”

 

Iona cut the lead to 4-3 in the second inning on a pair of walks, a passed ball and a two-run single, and a pair of back-to-back Gael home runs cut the lead to 12-5 in the fifth.

 

The Broncs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a single and five walks. Iona got a run back in the first on a two-out single, a walk, wild pitch and an infield RBI single.

 

Iona has now lost its last 15 games. “We were lucky to win the first two games,” Davis said. ‘We could have lost both of them. They were tough wins.”

 

Last year Rider defeated Iona 10-3 but lost 3-1 and 8-6 in 10 innings.  Rider and Iona have met 37 times since the series began in 1960 with Rider winning 24.

 

Rider travels to Monmouth Tuesday and hosts NJIT Wednesday.

 

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College Baseball: Rider University 6, Iona College 5

 Media Release April 12, 2008

 

NEW ROCHELLE, NY—In a game that featured 26 strikeouts between the two teams, Rider scored four runs in the ninth inning on three hits, an error and a key passed ball to defeat Iona in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Saturday.  "We got lucky today," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "Iona was one strike away from winning this game."

   

The second and third games of the series will be played Sunday. "This was a big win for us," Davis said. "A good come-back win, but we don't like doing it that way."

   

The Broncs (15-13, 5-5 MAAC) took a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth inning when pinch-runner senior Jon Leise (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford) scored on a passed ball to tie the game and junior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) went to third and then scored on a wild throw attempting to get Leise out at the plate.

   

The ninth inning scoring began when sophomore Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall) hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-3 and Hayes followed with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-4. Leise pinch ran for Wojnowski.  "This was a credit to the guys coming in off the bench," Davis said.  "Leise made an aggressive play and it turned out to be a very big play for us. Wojnowski had a big two-strike hit."  Wojnowski entered then game as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

   

With one out and a runner on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning, Hayes came in from right field to the mound to record the final two outs for his sixth save of the season and the 21^st of his career. "After they got a looping double in the ninth I figured, 'let's go with Jamie' and he was pretty good once again, getting a strikeout and a ground out to end it," Davis said.

   

Freshman Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) earned the win in relief, his second, pitching two shutout innings and allowing one hit while striking out two. "Mike came in a got us out of the seventh inning and pitched a solid eighth inning," Davis said. "He threw fine."

   

The Broncs got on the board in the seventh inning when freshman Steve Galella (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) hit an RBI single, his second hit of the day, cutting the lead to 3-1. Galella had three of Rider's eight hits on the day. "Galella had good at bats again today," Davis said. "He battled."

   

Iona (1-26, 1-9 MAAC) scored two runs on two hits and a walk, all with two outs in the seventh inning to take a 5-1 lead.

   

The Broncs cut the lead to 5-2 in the eighth inning when freshman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) drew a bases loaded walk.

   

Iona took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a single, a walk, a hit batsman, a fielder's choice RBI, an error and a sacrifice fly, and went up 3-0 in the third inning on a walk and a two-out RBI double. "We went out and gave them two runs right away," Davis said.

   

Rider junior Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square, N.J./Steinert) pitched six and two-thirds innings and allowed four earned runs on six hits, while striking nine, the third time this season he has struck out nine batters in a game. "In the middle of the game Mike was very good," Davis said.  "He struggled out of the gate but he had good stuff."

   

Iona pitcher Shane Sveda struck out the side in the sixth inning against Rider's top three batters in the line up and finished with 11 strikeouts and just two walks in seven and one-third innings pitched. "Sveda was really good," Davis said. "He has kept them in every game he has pitched. He has three good pitches."

   

Iona has now lost its last 13 games.

   

Last year Rider defeated Iona 10-3 but lost 3-1 and 8-6 in 10 innings.  Rider and Iona have met 35 times since the series began in 1960 with Rider winning 22.

   

"Fortunate enough we were able to find a way to win today,'" Davis said.

College Softball :Rider University 5, Siena College 4; Rider University 6, Siena College 2

Media Release: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Doubleheader

   

LAWRENCEVILLE—It is inevitable that it rains when company is coming and you have outdoor activities planned.  For the Rider University softball team celebrating a 30 year anniversary with about 100 alumni, Rider President Dr. Mordechai Rozanski and Director of Athletics Don Harnum on hand, it actually did rain, everywhere but at Rider and the newly renovated Herb and Joan Young softball complex that was officially dedicated on Saturday.

   

The softball gods smiled down at Herb and Joan's generosity and when Siena and Rider took the field, the Broncs came away with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep of the Saints from Siena College.  "It was very important to begin conference play by winning at home," said head coach Tricia Carroll.  "In the MAAC, you really need to win all of the home games and at least split on the road.  If you do that, you should be in good shape in the standings.  The two wins made a great day even more special."

   

In the opener with the score tied at four in the seventh, sophomore Derrin Minunni (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker) hit a out-out RBI single to right field, her second hit of the game, scoring senior Tiffany Day-Neutill (Agoura Hills, Calif./Oaks Christian) giving the Broncs a 5-4 win.

   

"We came out with a lot of energy," said Minunni.  "We just really hit the ball and pulled through.  My hit was a 2-0 count and I knew the pitcher didn't want to walk me so I was looking for a pitch around the plate and I zoned in my strike zone and went and got it.  It felt good.  I knew the team needed the win and it felt good to come through."

   

Day-Neutill walked and advanced to second base on a walk by freshman Brittany Eckett (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) to setup the winning play.

   

"A win in our last at-bat was big for us," said Carroll.  "We've been right there in a lot of our games and haven't been able to get that one hit or that one play and today, we put all of that together.  It took the whole game to come through and put ourselves in position for a game-winning hit."

   

Trailing 1-0, Rider (9-17, 2-0 MAAC) took the lead in the second inning on a two-run double by senior Mandi Sekly (Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon).

   

Siena (7-23, 0-6 MAAC) led 4-2 when Rider tied the game in the fifth inning on back to back RBI doubles from Eckett and Minunni.

   

Junior Lauren Brunner (Chino, Calif./Chino) picked up the win with a complete game effort, recording a career-high seven strikeouts.  "All of my pitches were working today," said Brunner.  "My curve was working well and it kept them [Siena] off balance.  I was able to work inside."

   

In the nightcap, Minunni, Eckett and junior Katy Mills (Seattle, Wash./Mount Rainier) each had two hits with Minunni and sophomore Candice Harris (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) each adding a double as the Broncs won 6-2.

   

Rider trailed 1-0 in the fourth when Mills hit an RBI single and Harris followed with a two-run double.  "We hit the ball well today," said Mills.  "We've been hitting the ball better over the past several games but we were hitting it right at our opponents and today, the hits were dropping for us.  One person gets a big hit and you say 'I want to do that too' and it goes from there.  The hitting was contagious."

   

The Broncs added three more runs in the fifth with Day-Neutill hitting her third home run of the season and senior Aimee Schiller (Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley) adding an RBI double.  Day-Neutill scored three times in the doubleheader.

   

Senior Jessica Holland (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) threw a complete game four hitter with no walks and two strikeouts for her third win of the season.

   

"I had my rise ball going," said Holland.  "The defense did a nice job today."

   

"Both pitchers did really well," Mills added.  "The kept the balls down and did their job giving us the opportunity to play solid defense."

   

This marks the first time in four years that Rider has started undefeated in conference play.  Rider started 3-0 in 2004, sweeping Saint Peter's and defeating Manhattan.

   

"The pitchers really kept Siena guessing today," said pitching coach Heather Beintema.  "We know that Jess and Lauren are going to get the job done by having our opponents put the ball in play.  We aren't necessarily going to get a lot of strikeouts so our defense has to do the work and for the most part, we did that today.  Sophomore Megan Kozlowski (Richboro, Pa./Council Rock-North) called a nice game today."

   

"Both pitchers have been pitching well and Megan has done a nice job managing the game," said Carroll.  "The pitchers came up big and if we put some runs on the board and play some defense, we'll be right there.  One of the things that will get overlooked is that we didn't strike out once today and we've really been working on getting decent at-bats.  We put the ball in play and made Siena make plays."

   

"Starting with a MAAC win was important," Brunner added.  "It shows that we can get the job done."

   

The Broncs now lead the all-time series against Siena 14-8. 

   

The first place Broncs host Saint Peter's in a MAAC doubleheader Sunday at 1:00pm.  "We want to win and keep it going," said Mills.

   

"We have two more conference games at home on Sunday and we need to win those," said Carroll.  "We need to believe we can play and we are a dangerous team when we believe that."

   

In between games, Rider honored its first softball team from 1978 as part of the 30 year anniversary of Rider softball and also honored Herb and Joan Young for their financial contributions that enabled the renovation of the softball complex.

   

"It was a big day," said Carroll.  "I thought the players played big today.  Having everyone come back was awesome.  We got the games in, despite the weather around us.  Herb and Joan Young have been such good friends to Rider University and Rider softball and I think we did a good job honoring what they have done for the program."

   

"It was really nice to see all of the alumni come back," said Director of Athletics Don Harnum.  "To have four of the original members of Rider softball come back to support the program and the Alumni board on hand, it was a terrific day for Rider Athletics in general and for the Rider softball program."

   

"For the current players to see members of the first ream at Rider come back and celebrate 30 years of the program was important," Carroll added.  "You should know the sacrifices that others made so you can play the game in the type of facility that we now have.  You have to remember that it didn't used to be like this and you have to remember how far the program has come.  I know the current players are thrilled to be able to play at this type of facility."

   

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Rider U Sports: Weekend schedule changes

The three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference baseball series between Rider University and Iona College has been adjusted due to the expected rain in the forecast.

On Saturday, Rider and Iona will play a single game beginning at 3pm. The doubleheader will now be played Sunday at 12 noon.
All three games are hosted by Iona at the Salesian High School Field in New Rochelle, NY.
The Rider women's MAAC tennis match against Siena on Saturday has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at 3:00pm.  The match will be held at Rider.

As of Friday afternoon the Rider-Siena softball doubleheader is still on schedule for 12 noon Saturday at Rider, with the Herb and Joan Young Field dedication ceremony scheduled for between games.

The Rider men’s tennis match with Fordham is still scheduled to begin at 12 noon Saturday at Rider.

 

The Rider Invitational Track meet is still scheduled to begin at 12 noon Saturday and the Rider golf team is still competing at the Princeton Invitational Saturday and Sunday.

 

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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Canisius and Rider Split Double-Header; Rider's Sean Olson 4-for-6 with five RBIs & two home runs

http://www.gogriffs.com

Davis throws third consecutive complete game in the nightcap (photo by Tom Wolf Imaging).

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

Freshman Shane Davis threw his third consecutive complete game to give the Canisius College baseball team a split with Rider University at the Demske Sports Complex on Saturday. The Broncs took the first game 7-6 in 11 innings to snap Canisius’ nine-game winning streak while the Golden Griffins took the second game 6-3.

Davis allowed three runs, two earned, while yielding seven hits, walking five and striking our four to improve to 6-0 on the season. Adam Donato had two hits in the second game to give him five total hits in the doubleheader. Kevin Mahoney and Paul Panik each had two hits as well for the Griffs (21-3, 4-1 MAAC) in the nightcap.

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College Baseball :Rider University 14, Temple University 8

 Media Release April 2

 

AMBLER, PA—Sophomore Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) had three hits, four RBI, scored three runs and stole two bases to lead Rider to victory at Temple Wednesday. "It was nice to get out and score some runs, so we know we can score," said Rider head coach Barry Davis

   

The 14 runs is the most Rider (12-11) has scored since defeating Temple 18-7 last year.

   

Freshman Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) collected two hits in one inning, including his first collegiate home run, and finished the day with three hits and three RBI. "That home run was a big hit," Davis said. "He was the four hitter so we hope the four hitter keeps driving them in."

   

Rider scored eight runs in the second inning on five hits and a Temple error, the biggest hits being a three-run home run by Heyne and a three-run double by McCollum.  "They made an error that opened the door but we got some big hits that inning and it took off from there," Davis said. "It was good to get some separation. We haven't built a lead like that in a long time."

   

Heyne led off the second inning with a single and scored on a sacrifice fly. Junior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) also hit an RBI single in the second inning and finished with three hits and two runs scored, and pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the victory after Temple loaded the bases.

   

Junior Dan Sasso (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown) pitched five innings for the win, his second of the year, and struck out three. "We pitched well enough and played good enough defense where they never brought the tying run to the plate," Davis said.

   

Junior Maurice Williams Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) also had three hits and is now batting a team-high .380 (27-71). "Mo again swung the bat well," Davis said. "The top of the order did very well today."

   

With two outs in the seventh inning, Rider scored three runs on three hits, including an RBI single by McCollum and an RBI double by junior Sean Olson(Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep).

   

Temple (13-11) got on the board in the third inning on a bases loaded hit batsman, cutting the Rider lead to 9-1, and scored three runs in the fourth inning on four hits, another hit batsman and a sacrifice fly, cutting the lead to 11-4.  The Owls scored two runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth for the final score. "Temple swung the bat and stayed close enough where we had to keep playing," Davis said.

   

Rider travels to Canisius for a three-game MAAC series this weekend, beginning with a 3pm doubleheader Saturday. "This is a big weekend," Davis said. "Right now I would say they are the best team in the league. We have our hands full and we need to bring our 'A' game all weekend to walk out of there with any type of success at all."

   

   

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Seton Hall University 12, Rider University 3

April 2

LAWRENCEVILLE—Despite a pair of 400-foot doubles by junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional), the Broncs lost to Seton Hall Tuesday. “We didn’t do much today,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.

Seton Hall banged out 17 hits, including two home runs, off of five Bronc pitchers.

Pirate catcher Frank Esposito and third baseman Chris Fontenelli each had four hits for Seton Hall (14-12), with Esposito adding four RBI.

In the second inning Williams doubled and scored on an RBI single by freshman John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) to give Rider (11-11) a 2-0 lead.  “That was the first time in a while we got up a couple of runs,” Davis said. “we have to be able to come out and put up a zero after we score, and we didn’t do that.”

Williams’ RBI double in