College Baseball
Rider University 4, Marist College 3
Rider University 3, Marist College 2
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY-The Broncs swept Marist in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday. "Marist (21-8, 4-4 MAAC) is very good," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "Both games could have gone either way. It is a good sign that you can win these close games, especially on the road."
Senior Mason Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) had five hits and two RBI in the twin bill and sophomore Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp.) had two saves. "That's a pretty good day, for both of them," Davis said.
Heyne now has 230 career hits, fourth most ever at Rider and 166 career RBI, second most ever at Rider and just two shy of the Bronc record.
In the first game Rider took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning on a two-run single by senior A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa./Hanover Area) and an RBI single by Heyne. "Albee hit a line drive that the kid dove for but couldn't come up with it," Davis said. "That was a big hit."
Heyne had three of Rider's nine hits in game one.
The Red Foxes cut the lead to 4-3 in the sixth inning on a pair of singles and a squeeze bunt.
Marist took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a double, an infield single and a fielder's choice and went up 2-0 in the fourth on a pair of singles and a passed ball.
Senior Mike Thomas (Forest Hill, Md./Fallston) pitched seven and two-thirds innings, striking out three. Thomas improved to 4-1 on the season with career win number 24, just two shy of the Rider career record. "Mike pitched well," Davis said.
Smith recorded the final four outs for the save. "Tyler did a great job out of the bullpen," Davis said.
Albee and sophomore catcher Mike O'Reilly (Colts Neck) each had two hits for the Broncs.
In game two, junior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) hit an RBI single in the seventh inning to give Rider a 3-2 lead. "That was a big hit," Davis said.
Cotten had two of Rider's six hits in the second game after his 13-game hitting streak was snapped in game one.
Marist tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth inning with a two-out RBI double.
Heyne hit an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning, scoring freshman Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton), who reached base on a bunt single, to give Rider a 2-1 lead. Heyne had two of Rider's six hits.
Rider (18-10, 7-1 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Crescenzo stole second, went to third on a bad throw and scored on a sacrifice fly by Albee. Albee had three RBI in the doubleheader and now has 115 for his career, 19th most ever at Rider.
Senior Nate Eppley (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern) pitched six innings and allowed just one earned run for his fourth win of the season. "We got good starting pitching today," Davis said.
Smith pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning for his eighth save of the season and the 17th of his career. "Tyler was very good last year and he picked right up this year," Davis said. "I hope he gets another chance tomorrow."
Marist tied the score at 1-1 in the first inning with a single, an error, a walk and a fielder's choice RBI.
The third game of the series will be Sunday at 12 noon at Marist. Rider has now won all three of its MAAC series' this season. "That's the goal," Davis said, "to win each series. We feel good about that. Hopefully was can play well tomorrow. It will be a challenge. They're good and they'll be ready to go."
The Broncs took two out of three from Marist last season at Rider and defeated the Red Foxes in the first round of the MAAC tournament in Fishkill, NY. The Broncs won one of three in 2009 at Marist. Rider won two of three against Marist in 2008 in Lawrenceville.
The Broncs and Red Foxes were Northeast Conference foes for five seasons before both institutions moved from the NEC to the MAAC in 1998.
Marist holds a 36-29 lead in the all-time series that began in 1992.
Before switching conferences Marist won the NEC Championship in 1997, ending Rider's three-year reign as Conference Champion.
Since both teams moved to the MAAC in 1998, Marist won conference titles in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005, with Rider finishing runner-up in 1999, 2001 and 2002.
The Broncs won the MAAC title in 2008 and 2010 and are picked to win it this season.
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