College Baseball
Monmouth University 7, Rider University 6
WEST LONG BRANCH-The Broncs lost at Monmouth Wednesday afternoon. "This was a winnable game," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "Today we didn't get the clutch hitting we got over the last few games. We didn't do enough to win the game."
Rider (15-15) took a 6-4 lead in the fourth inning with two runs on two hits, including a two-run single by junior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area). Albee had two of Rider's 10 hits.
Monmouth (12-14) scored two runs in the seventh inning on three hits to take a 7-6 lead. A solo home run by Levittown's Ryan Terry tied the score at 6-6.
Rider tied the score at 4-4 in the fourth inning on an RBI single by sophomore Ryan Murphy (Yardville, N.J./Steinert) after junior Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) hit a solo home run. The home run was Heyne's fourth of the year and the 21st of his career, 11th most ever at Rider. Heyne had two hits Wednesday.
Rider sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) hit two doubles, including one to lead off the game.
Rider had three hits and a walk in the first inning but scored just one run. Monmouth also turned a key double play in the third inning when Rider had bases load and one out.
"We had runners on third a few times and got nothing," Davis said. "That's why we lost."
Rider left 11 runners on base. "We had opportunities on offense and we just didn't come through," Davis said. "We didn't do the things that it takes to win games."
Rider junior Jeff Giordano (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) started and pitched four innings, allowing five runs and left the game with a 6-5 lead. "I thought Jeff did a good job once he settled in," Davis said.
Freshman Sean Kuberiet (Branchburg/Somerville) pitched two scoreless innings before giving up a solo home run to start the seventh inning that tied the game at 6-6. "Kubereit did a good job keeping us in there," Davis said.
Freshman Mike O'Reilly (Colts Neck), senior Matt McCollum (Tabernacle, N.J./Shawnee) and junior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) also had hits for Rider.
The last time Rider won at Monmouth was April 27, 2004 (4-2). The Hawks have won the last five games with Rider at Monmouth.
Rider defeated Monmouth 9-5 in Lawrenceville last year. The Hawks swept the home and home series in 2008. The Broncs won at Rider in the only meeting in 2007 and Monmouth won all four meetings in 2006 and both in 2005.
Last year Monmouth won 32 games, including three straight in the Northeast Conference Tournament as the four seed, to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Rider travels to Jersey City to take on Saint Peter's in a three-game MAAC series Saturday (dh) and Sunday. "Saint Peter's are good enough to beat us," Davis said, "so we have a tough job to do, playing them there. We still have a chance to have a really good year."
-ru-
