College Baseball
Fairfield University 9, Rider University 8
FAIRFIELD, CT-The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Fairfield Monday. "We've lost four conference games by a total of eight runs," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "We have to find a way to overcome that."
Fairfield (10-12, 3-3 MAAC) scored the winning run with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded and one out.
Rider (11-13, 2-4 MAAC) scored four runs in the seventh inning on three hits, including a three-run triple by junior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area), to cut the lead to 8-7. "That triple was big," Davis said.
Albee also homered to lead off the sixth inning, cutting the lead to 4-3.
Junior Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) hit an RBI single in the ninth inning to tie the score at 8-8. "Mason had a big hit for us," Davis said.
Fairfield scored four runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to take an 8-3 lead.
Rider senior Nick Wojnowski (Baldwin, Md./Calvert Hall) singled and scored in the second inning to cut the Stag lead to 4-2. Wojnowski had two hits Monday and seven hits in the three-game series.
"Albee and Wojnowski have been pretty consistent for us this year," Davis said.
Fairfield scored four runs in the first inning on four hits, two walks, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly. "You can't fall behind four nothing in the first inning," Davis said.
Sophomore Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley), junior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI), freshman Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial), sophomore Ryan Murphy (Yardville, N.J./Steinert) and junior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie) also had hits for Rider.
Freshman Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) pitched two and two-thirds shutout innings of relief. "Tyler did a good job," Davis said.
Senior Ryan Miller (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) pitched four and two-thirds innings of relief, allowing four runs on four hits while striking out four. "I thought Miller pitched great," Davis said. "He made one bad pitch that cost him but I thought he did an excellent job."
The Broncs host NJIT Wednesday at 3:30. "We just need to win a game," Davis said. "Keep plugging away."
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