College Baseball
Radford University 4, Rider University 3 (9 innings)
Radford University 1, Rider University 0 (8 innings)
RADFORD, VA-The Broncs lost a doubleheader at Radford Sunday, with the host Highlanders winning both games in their final at bat. "Today was much better," said Rider head coach Barry Davis, "even though the results were not what we wanted. Overall, we competed, on the mound, the starters and the bullpen. It was two well-played games today."
In the second game Radford (6-7) scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning of the scheduled seven inning game with a single with two outs and a runner on third base. "It was a blooper over the second baseman's head," Davis said.
Rider sophomore Patrick Devlin (Richboro, PA/Council Rock North) pitched six shutout innings, striking out six while allowing just three hits. "Pat threw great, he threw awesome," Davis said. "This is his third start (1-1), He threw 80-some pitches and he was building on the game. One walk, six strikeouts, didn't give up any runs. If we do anything offensively he wins the game."
Devlin started five games last year, his second season at Rider, and was the staff ace before suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery and was granted a medical red-shirt.
Senior Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee), junior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie) and freshman Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Township) collected hits for Rider. "In the second game we hit the ball hard, but mostly right at them," Davis said. "I thought we had good swings, we just couldn't put anything together."
McCollum shares the team lead with 13 hits this season.
The Highlanders had five hits to Rider's three in the pitcher's duel.
In the first game Radford scored two runs in the seventh inning and the winning run in the ninth on an RBI bunt single. Rider out-hit Radford seven to six. "They safety-squeezed in the winning run," Davis said.
The Broncs took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a walk, two wild pitches and a pair of hits, including an RBI double by sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley). "We had more opportunities in the first game, but we hit into a couple more double plays," Davis said. "I felt we had a good chance to win the first game. We had a few chances to go up 4-0, 4-1, then we let them back in the game."
Cotten had three of Rider's seven hits in the first game. "He puts the ball on the ground and he can run," Davis said. "He had some good at bats."
The Highlanders cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh inning with a solo home run and tied the score at 3-3 with a single, stolen base, walk and RBI single.
Senior Ryan Miller (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) pitched six and one-third innings, allowing four hits while striking out three. "Miller threw fine," Davis said. "He was the victim of a miss-played ball. I thought he looked good. He did everything we asked."
Freshman Sean Kuberiet (Branchburg/Somerville) entered the game in the seventh inning with two runners on and one out and struck out two. "Kuberiet did a great job of getting us out of the inning," Davis said. "He's done a good job for us in that role."
Freshman Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Township) pitched out of a jam in the eighth inning but gave up a run on two hits in the ninth. "He throws strikes, so he's going to give up some hits," Davis said. "They hit them where we weren't."
Radford got on the board in the fourth inning on a walk, a hit batsman, a fly ball and an error.
Junior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI), senior Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall), junior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) and freshman Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) had hits for the Broncs. Ralston extended his hitting streak to seven games before going hitless in game two.
"It's not that we didn't hit, it is just that we didn't find the holes," Davis said. "We hit some balls right at them and they (Radford) did a good job defensively. We played two solid games, it is just a little disappointing when you play well but have nothing to show for it. Kind of frustrating. We played 17 innings and gave up five runs. I'm pleased with the pitching."
Rider plays at Virginia Tech Tuesday and Wednesday. "On paper they'll be better than us," Davis said of the Hokies, who are 11-4 after a 32-21 season last year. "We've got some work to do."
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