College Baseball
Radford University 7, Rider University 2
RADFORD, VA--The Broncs lost at Radford Saturday, the first of a three-game series. "It was disappointing to start the trip with this kind of performance, overall," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "Offensively we really never did anything. We hit into three double plays that were rally killers."
For Rider (6-4), junior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie) hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to break up the shutout.
Freshman Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) hit an RBI single in the ninth inning for the final score.
Senior Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) and junior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) each had two of Rider's nine hits. Albee doubled, his second of the season. "Those two guys had good at bats and good swings most of the day," Davis said.
Junior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI), senior Eric Woodrow (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West) and sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) also had hits for the Broncs.
The Highlanders (4-7) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out walk, stolen base and an RBI single, and went up 3-0 in the fifth inning with two runs on four hits, including an RBI bunt single.
Radford took a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning with three runs on three hits.
Rider junior Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) pitched five and one-third innings, striking out four. "Mike kept us in the game," Davis said. "He threw great through the first three innings. He was strong."
Rider plays Radford in a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 12 noon. "The field was in good shape and the weather was surprisingly good," Davis said. "We need to play better tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be ready to go. We didn't seem ready to play today."
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