College Baseball
Rider University 6, Princeton University 3
PRINCETON-After giving up three runs in the fifth inning Rider came back to score four in the sixth to defeat Princeton Wednesday afternoon. "Any time you give up a big inning and come back to match it is big," said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
Rider scored four runs in the sixth inning on four hits, including RBI singles by freshman Ken Kremer (Hershey, PA/Hershey) and senior Steve Galella (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial), to take a 4-3 lead.
Galella had two hits for the Broncs and now has 189 for his career, 12th most ever at Rider.
Senior John Ralston (Annandale, Va./Paul VI) scored in the sixth inning, his 100th career run scored
The Broncs (23-14) took a 5-3 lead in the seventh inning when senior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) bunted, went all the way to third on a throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial).
Albee had two hits and scored two runs for the Broncs. Albee ranks 10th in career hits with 196 and fifth in career runs scored with 145.
A single, a walk and back-to-back doubles gave the host Tigers (18-19) a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning.
Rider freshman starter Kyle Kennett (Spring Lake, NJ/St. Rose) pitched five and one-third innings, allowing just three runs while striking out three to improve to 3-0. "Kyle was good," Davis said.
Batting out of the leadoff spot, senior Karl Johnston (Hamilton, N.J./Peddie) had two hits, including a single in the third inning, the 100th career hit for Johnston in his 92nd start in the Bronc outfield. "That's a great accomplishment," Davis said.
Sophomore Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) recorded the final out for his Rider record 12th save of the season and the 21st of his career. The old Rider record for saves in a season with 11 held by James Hayes in 2007 and again in 2008.
Rider senior lefty Jeff Giordano (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) pitched two and two-thirds scoreless innings. "Jeff was able to hold down the fort," Davis said. "They had a lot of lefties in the lineup today."
Giordano has now allowed just one run in his last 15 and one-third innings over seven games and just seven hits in that span. "He's been pitching very well," Davis said.
The Tigers were 7-1 at home this year before the Broncs made the seven mile trip north and are 12-4 in the Ivy League. "Princeton has been playing well," Davis said. "It is always a good game when we play them so we feel fortunate to get the win."
Princeton won at Rider in 11 innings last year. That win for the Tigers tied the all-time series record with Rider at 23-23. Rider won 6-0 in the last visit to Princeton in 2009. Princeton won at Rider in 2008.
Rider hosts Canisius in a three-game Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference series this weekend, beginning with a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday. Rider is in second place at 10-5 in the MAAC while Canisius (18-20) is in third place at 6-4. "They are going to come ready to play," Davis said. "It should be a great series."
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