College Baseball
Rutgers University 5, Rider University 0
PISCATAWAY-The Broncs had as many hits as the Scarlet Knights but lost Wednesday afternoon. "They had men on base when they got their hits," said Rider head coach Barry Davis, "and we didn't."
Rider (5-13) held Rutgers (9-9) to just six hits, but two of the hits were home runs and one was a triple. "When you can't score there is no room for error," Davis said.
The Scarlet Knights took a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning with a three-run home run. "That was the difference," Davis said.
Rutgers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a home run and took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning with a triple and a sacrifice fly.
Rider senior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) singled with two outs and two strikes in the fourth inning and singled again to lead off the ninth inning. "He had two good at bats," Davis said of his All-Conference centerfielder, "but we need more than one player to get two hits. We need four or five players to have multi-hit games or more than one positive at bat for us to win."
Rider junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) doubled in the third inning for Rider's first hit and made a sensational diving stop at third base on a ground ball in the fifth inning. Wayman also reached base in the eighth inning on a hit batsman.
Rider freshman pitcher David Hafer (Pine Grove, PA) made his first collegiate start and pitched five innings, allowing four hits and struck out five but also walked five and hit three batters. "David threw well," Davis said. "For his first college start, on the road, against a team like Rutgers, I thought he gave us a chance to win."
Two of the four hits Hafer allowed were home runs. "Overall he did fine," Davis said. "He'll get another start next week. He deserves that."
Rider sophomore outfielder Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) made his collegiate pitching debut in the seventh inning and retired three of the four batters he faced. "Jerry did a good job," Davis said. "He was able to get guys out in his first outing."
Freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) doubled to lead off the eighth inning, junior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) singled to lead off the fifth inning and freshman Eric Strano (Robbinsville) singled in the eighth inning.
Rider and Rutgers did not meet last year. The Broncs lost at Rutgers in 2010. Rider beat Rutgers in 2009 at Rider.
Rider plays the home opener Saturday when the Broncs host Niagara in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader beginning at 12 noon on the Sonny Pittaro Field.
"We've got a big series this weekend," Davis said. "These are the games that are going to take us where we want to go, so we're going to have to play."
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