College Baseball
Fairfield University 14, Rider University 4
LAWRENCEVILLE?The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Fairfield Sunday and lost the series two game to one. “It's disappointing,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We gave up 27 runs in the two losses. You aren't going to beat anybody giving up that many runs. We didn't deserve to win today.”
Rider (19-17, 10-8 MAAC) committed four errors, two on double play balls that led to big innings for Fairfield (17-19, 7-8 MAAC). “We have to play better defense,” Davis said. “We had a clear double play ball that we didn't get an out on and they end up scoring five runs. If we make that play they might not score any that inning.”
Fairfield scored five runs in the sixth inning on three hits and a costly Rider error to take a 9-3 lead, and added three more runs in the seventh inning on two hits and another Rider error to take a 12-4 lead. “You pitch and play defense like we did today and you are going to struggle,” Davis said.
Senior Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) had three of Rider's 11 hits. His two-run single in the third inning tied the score at 3-3. Williams also doubled. “We battled back to tie the score,” Davis said. “We swung the bat okay but our pitching and defense gave a poor effort today.”
The three hits give Williams 192 for his career, ninth highest ever at Rider.
Rider sophomore Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) led off the second inning with a single, his 100th career hit. Heyne was a Freshman All-American last season.
Rider freshman Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) had two hits on Sunday and now has eight hits in his last 16 at bats.
Rider senior James Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) reached base three times and scored a run. The run was his 166th career run, breaking the Rider record of 165 set in 2003 by Carl Loadenthal, who is currently playing with the Binghamton Mets (AA).
Hayes also stole a base and is third in the MAAC in stolen bases with 20. Hayes broke the Rider career stolen base record earlier this season and now has 90.
Fairfield had 12 hits Sunday, including two home runs and three doubles. “Give Fairfield credit,” Davis said. “They played like they wanted to be in the (MAAC) tournament more than we did.”
Rider hosts Princeton Tuesday and has seven games before the next MAAC contest. “We need to get some things straightened out before then,” Davis said.
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