College Baseball
Rider University 6, Fairfield University 3
LAWRENCEVILLE-Rider scored four runs in the fifth inning to defeat Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game Tuesday. "I feel good about the win," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "It gets us back on track."
Sophomore Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) had three hits to lead the 10-hit Rider (22-14, 10-5 MAAC) offense. "He had a good day at the plate," Davis said.
Sophomore Joe Calogero (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill HS West) pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing just two earned runs for the win, his first. 'Joey did a good job," Davis said.
The Broncs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when junior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) singled, went to second on a walk, was sacrificed to third and scored on an RBI single by senior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area).
Cotten and Albee each had two hits and Albee added two RBI. "Offensively we were better today," said Albee. "We didn't get the big hits when we needed them on Monday."
"Albee had a big hit," Davis said.
"We were disappointed that we lost twice yesterday so it was important to get this win today," said Albee. "You never want to lose three in a row."
Holding a 2-1 lead, Rider scored four runs in the fifth inning on four hits, including a two-run triple by Wayman. "That was a big inning," Albee said. "We scored a couple of those runs with two outs."
"We had some clutch hits in that inning," Davis said. "We scored two or three with two outs and if you do that consistently you'll give yourself a good chance to win."
Sophomore Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) pitched the ninth scoreless inning for his 11 save of the season and the 20th of his career.
Fairfield (14-19, 6-6 MAAC) tied the score at 1-1 in the third inning before Cotten tripled and scored on a ground out by senior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie), who had two RBI.
The defending MAAC champion and preseason favorite, Rider has won three of the five MAAC series it has played this season. "When you are not playing great things seem to come tougher for you," Davis said. "It was a struggle this weekend."
Rider travels seven miles north on Route 206 to Princeton University for a 3:30pm game Wednesday. The Broncs return home to host Canisius for a three-game MAAC series April 30-May 1. "We need to win that series with Canisius," Albee said.
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