College Baseball
Rider University 8, Niagara University 1 (9 inn)
Rider University 7, Niagara University 3 (9 inn)
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY?The Broncs began defense of their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Title by sweeping Niagara Saturday. “It was a good way to start the conference schedule,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
Senior Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) had five RBI and senior Sean Olson (Vineland, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) had five hits on the day.
In the first game, junior Eric Woodrow (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West) had three hits, including a grand slam in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie. “We got a huge hit from Woodrow,” Davis said. “He hit it well. The key to the inning was Mo walking.”
Williams drew a two-out, two-strike walk to keep the inning alive. “It was a good at bat, a competitive walk,. It wasn't like the guy gave it to him. He had to earn it,” Davis said. After an infield error and another walk, Woodrow hit the slam.
Woodrow singled and scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 1-1. The home run was the first for Woodrow as a Bronc.
Senior Mike Petrowski (Hamilton Square, N.J./Steinert) pitched a compete game, striking out five without a walk while allowing just five hits. “Mike threw great,” Davis said. “He made his pitches. We played good defense behind him.”
In the second game, a scheduled seven inning game, Williams hit a three-run double in the ninth inning, his third hit of the game. “Just a huge hit,” Davis said. Williams also had a two-run single in the first game. “We were lucky to win the second game. They had more opportunities than we did.”
Sophomore A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) hit an RBI single, his fourth hit of the day, to break a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth. “That was a big hit from A.J., getting the run in,” Davis said. Albee had a good day at the plate.”
Sophomore John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning to give Rider a 3-0 lead. “Ralston had a big hit to put us up,” Davis said. “It was a 0-0 pitcher's dual at that point.”
Rider (5-8, 2-0 MAAC) plays the third game of the MAAC series at Niagara (3-13, 0-2 MAAC) Sunday at 12 noon.
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