College Baseball
Rider University 12, Long Island University 9 (8 innings)
LAWRENCEVILLE--The Broncs built an 8-0 lead after three innings and held on to defeat LIU Wednesday in a game called in the eighth inning due to darkness. "It was just one of those days," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "We got up early but we have to pitch better at the end. But a win is a win."
For Rider (19-15) freshman Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) had three of the Broncs' 14 hits in seven innings, including a two-run triple in the sixth inning that gave Rider a 12-0 lead.
LIU (9-25) scored four runs in the seventh inning on four hits, including a two-run double and a two-run home run and scored five runs in the eighth inning on two hits, including two more home runs, before freshman closer Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) came on to get the save, his fourth.
"Give LIU credit," Davis said. "They kept on swinging."
Sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley), junior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie), senior Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall) and junior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) each had two hits for Rider. Johnston had three RBI.
Freshman Mike O'Reilly (Colts Neck) had two RBI for Rider. "Up and down the line up we had some good at bats," Davis said. "We took advantage of what they gave us."
Junior Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) hit a double to lead off the sixth inning, extending his hitting streak to 15 games, the 23rd longest current streak in Division I.
Junior Jeff Giordano (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) pitched a perfect one and one-third innings of relief for the win, his first.
Senior Brian Herman (Levittown, Pa./Conwell-Egan) started and pitched three and two-thirds shutout innings.
Rider and LIU are former Northeast Conference rivals and Rider holds a 23-12 advantage in the series that began in 1941. The Broncs defeated LIU 9-7 last year at Rider and the Blackbirds return to Lawrenceville for a doubleheader May 16, the final home games of the season for Rider.
Rider and LIU are former Northeast Conference rivals and Rider holds a 23-12 advantage in the series that began in 1941. The Broncs defeated LIU 9-7 last year at Rider and the Blackbirds return to Lawrenceville for a doubleheader May 16, the final home games of the season for Rider.
Rider travels to Buffalo, NY to take on Canisius in a three-game MAAC series beginning with a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday. "We've got our work cut out for us up there," Davis said. "They are very good and tough to play. We have to bring our 'A' game to be able to win. It is a big series for us.'
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