College Baseball
Rider University 9, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 1
PRINCESS ANNE, MD? Junior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) had three hits and scored three runs, and senior Jon Leise (Woodbury, N.J./West Deptford) had three hits and scored twice, to lead Rider to a season opening win at Maryland Eastern Shore Sunday afternoon. “All in all, a good first game,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “Saw some good things today and we feel good about it.”
Junior Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square, N.J./Steinert) pitched six innings and allowed just one unearned run, striking out seven without allowing a walk. “Mike threw great,” Davis said. “He went right at them. He didn't walk a batter.”
Petrowski, Rider's Most Valuable Pitcher last year, collected his ninth career win at Rider.
The Broncs (1-0) banged out 12 hits in the seven inning game, called on account of darkness.
Rider took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Olson drew a two-out walk and scored on a double by senior David Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./American Heritage).
The Broncs took a 5-0 lead in the third inning with four runs on four hits, the biggest hit a two-run single by freshman John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI). Ralston also had a stolen base in his collegiate debut. “That was a big clutch hit by Ralston,” Davis said. “That gave us a little bit of breathing room and allowed Mike to just go at them.”
Junior Maurice Williams (Ocean, N.J./Monmouth Regional) got the inning started with a two-out RBI double.
Olson, Rider's MVP last season, singled in the fourth inning and scored on a single by sophomore Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall) to give Rider a 7-1 lead. “Olson swung the bat,” Davis said. “He had good at bats and was on base four out of four times and scored almost every time.”
Olson was an All-MAAC and All-NJ selection last year.
Leise also had an RBI single in the third inning, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Olson in the fifth to give Rider an 8-1 lead. “Leise had a good day,” Davis said.
Freshman pitcher Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) struck out two in one inning of relief in his collegiate debut.
Rider will play a doubleheader at UMES Monday. “Before we played today the field conditions were awful,” Davis said, “so we'll play the doubleheader scheduled for today tomorrow. They did a great job getting the field ready to play today.”
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