College Baseball
Appalachian State University 6, Rider University 3
BOONE, NC--Despite out-hitting the Mountaineers the Broncs lost to Appalachian State Friday afternoon. "We did some good things today," said Rider head coach Barry Davis, "we just didn't do enough good things to win the game."
The Broncs (3-2) cut the lead to 4-3 in the eighth inning with a run on three hits, including an RBI single by graduate student Ryan Murphy (Yardville, N.J./Steinert).
Murphy had two of Rider's nine hits. "He had a good day today," Davis said of his first baseman. "He worked a walk, scored a run, knocked in a run. He had a solid day."
App. State (6-2) took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning on a walk, stolen base and a pair of ground outs, and took a 6-3 lead with two runs in the eighth inning. "We made a base-running mistake in the eighth inning that cost us," Davis said, "and then we gave it right back to them. If we shut them down in the eighth we might be talking a different story."
Rider cut the lead to 3-2 with two runs in the fifth inning on three hits and two walks, including an RBI single by freshman Eric Strano (Robbinsville) and an RBI walk by sophomore Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton).
Rider sophomore pitcher Mike Murphy (Hamilton/Peddie) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out four. "Murph pitched fine," Davis said. "He kept us in the game."
Freshman Greg Fazio (Far Hills/Ridge) had two hits for the Broncs.
Also for Rider junior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.), freshman Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY), sophomore Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) and junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) had hits. "We had good at bats today," Davis said.
Lindsay scored twice and stole a base.
App. State took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a double, a fly ball and an RBI ground out and took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning on a pair of hits and a walk.
Rider plays App. State in a doubleheader Saturday. "We competed with a good team today, faced a good arm, and we have to bounce back tomorrow," Davis said. "This good competition will help us down the road."
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