College Baseball
Rider University 13, Saint Peter's College 2
Rider University 5, Saint Peter's College 4
JERSEY CITY--Senior Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall) had five hits and four runs batted in to lead the Broncs to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader sweep at Saint Peter's Saturday. "We got hits with runners in scoring position today," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "That was good to see."
In the first game, Rider (17-15, 6-5 MAAC) jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning on five hits, including two-run doubles by both Wojnowski and senior Eric Woodrow (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West) and a two-run single by freshman Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) and Rider never looked back.
Wojnowski had three of Rider's 17 hits in the first game and Woodrow had two.
Junior pitcher Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) pitched a nine-inning complete game, striking out a career-high 11. "Mike looked sharp again today," Davis said.
With the win Thomas improves to 5-2 on the season and 16-8 for his career. 16-8 is the 17th best career record ever at Rider.
Also in the first game, junior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) hit his fifth home run of the season, sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) three hits, RBI, double, scored two runs, junior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie) three hits, scored three runs.
In the second game, Wojnowski hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a seven inning game to give Rider a 4-3 lead. "Wojo had a huge hit in the sixth inning but threw a guy out at the plate on a fly ball double play in the fourth, which was just as big," Davis said.
Cotton manufactured a run in the top of the seventh with a walk, a stolen base, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on an error to give Rider a 5-4 lead.
Freshman Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) pitched one and two-thirds scoreless, hitless innings, striking out four for the win. "Smith came up big," Davis said.
Freshman Mike Murphy (Hamilton/Peddie) pitched two and one-third innings of relief.
Rider took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on two hits and two SPC (9-22, 2-9 MAAC) errors.
Heyne had two of Rider's seven hits in the second game.
The third game of the series will be played Sunday. "We've got a big one tomorrow," Davis said.
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