College Baseball
Norfolk State University 1, Rider University 0 (14 innings)
Rider University 5, Norfolk State University 3
NORFOLK, VA--Rider began the season with a 21-inning day. "All in all we got to see a lot, and that was important," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "We might have seen more than we wanted to see."
The Broncs and Norfolk State spilt a doubleheader in the season opener for both teams Friday.
In the second game freshman Kurt Sowa (Bensalem, PA/Fr. Judge) made an impressive collegiate debut, striking out eight while allowing just one earned run in five innings of work, leaving the game with a 5-2 lead for his first collegiate victory. "His fastball was there," Davis said. "He attacked the zone. For the first team he pitched he was very good."
The Broncs (1-1) erupted for five runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead. "We played 21 innings and scored in one," Davis said.
In the fourth senior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) hit an RBI double, junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) hit an RBI single, sophomore Ken Kremer (Hershey, PA/Hershey) hit an RBI double and freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) hit a two-run single. "Thomas had the big hit with two outs," Davis said. "He did a good job. It was a solid single and that was the hit that put us over the hump."
Cotten had three hits in the doubleheader, giving him 151 for his career, 40th most ever at Rider. "He's a good hitter," Davis said. "He's one of our better guys and he's going to be counted on. He was solid today."
Freshman Zach Mawson (Magnolia, DE/Caesar Rodney) got the final out for the save. "The game should have been over but we committed an error so I brought Zach in and he made the batter fly out to right," Davis said.\
Norfolk State (1-1) scored one in the first and one in the second to take a 2-0 lead.
In the first game, scheduled for seven innings, Norfolk scored the lone run on a pair of singles, a sacrifice bunt, an intentional walk and a two-out single in the 14th inning.
"The game was cruising along but nobody could get a hit," Davis said, "at least when it counted."
Rider sophomore starter Mike Murphy (Hamilton/Peddie) pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just three singles and three walks while striking out three. He did not allow a hit until there was one out in the fourth inning. "Murphy looked good," Davis said
Junior Tyler Smith (Westmont/Haddon Twp), a Preseason Second Team All-American closer, pitched three scoreless innings in relief, striking out four while allowing two hits. Smith struck out the first batter of the season he faced. "Tyler was very good today," Davis said.
Sophomore Kyle Kennett (Spring Lake, NJ/St. Rose) pitched two scoreless, hitless innings of relief for the Broncs, allowing two walks while striking out one.
Junior pitcher Chris Taylor (Sterling, VA/Dominion) suffered the loss. Taylor pitched out of a bases load, one out jam in the 13th, getting the two batters he faced that inning to pop up and ground out, but allowed a single with bases loaded and two outs in the 14th. "It was a tough way to lose," Davis said. "We had opportunities, more than they had, but they out-played us. They put some hits together when it counted. They did not have as many opportunities as we had but they made the best of it."
Rider freshman Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY) hit the first collegiate pitch he saw into right field for a double.
Junior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) entered the first game in the ninth inning and collected two hits, including a bunt single to lead off the 14th.
Graduate student Ryan Murphy (Yardville, N.J./Steinert) also had two hits for the Broncs in the first game, singles in the fourth and the 11th inning.
Norfolk State is picked to finish second in the MEAC North, behind Delaware State. Rider is picked to finish second in the MAAC, behind Canisius.
Norfolk State was 24-29 last year, going 3-2 in the MEAC Championship Tournament.
Rider and Norfolk play another doubleheader Saturday at 1pm. "Our offense has to be better tomorrow," Davis said. "We need to take better care of the opportunities we get."
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