College Baseball
Monmouth University 6, Rider University 5
WEST LONG BRANCH-The Broncs scored five runs in the ninth inning on five hits and an error, but Monmouth came right back and scored six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the ninth for the victory Wednesday afternoon.
"We have to win that game," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "To score five and then give it up is tough to swallow. We're taking this one pretty hard right now."
In the ninth inning junior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) and graduate student Ryan Murphy (Yardville, N.J./Steinert) both singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY). After freshman Eric Strano (Robbinsville) walked senior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) hit a two-run single to break a scoreless tie.
Following a single by sophomore Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) and a two-run Monmouth error, sophomore Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) hit an RBI triple to give Rider (9-22) a 5-0 lead. It was Mulderig's sixth RBI in the last four games.
"When you score five runs you just can't come back and give up six," Davis said, "but we did, so we didn't deserve to win."
Monmouth (20-12) came right back and scored six runs for the victory. The last time Rider won at Monmouth was April 27, 2004 (4-2). The Hawks have won the last six games with Rider at Monmouth.
"Monmouth hit the ball," Davis said. The Hawks had 13 hits off of three Rider pitchers. "This is why you never sit on a lead. You never have enough runs."
Rider freshman David Hafer (Pine Grove, PA) pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out six while allowing six hits and three walks. "Hafer pitched his tail off today," Davis said. "He gave us eight very good innings."
Hafer pitched out of a seventh inning jam with runners on second and third and pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth inning. "He pitched well," Davis said. "He pitched out of a few jams today."
Ryan Murphy had two of Rider's eight hits.
Freshman Greg Fazio (Far Hills/Ridge) and freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) also had hits for the Broncs.
Rider and Monmouth are former Northeast Conference rivals. Since the series between the two Garden State teams began in 1976 Rider has won 32 of the 56 meetings.
The Broncs return to MAAC action with a home series against Manhattan Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 12 noon. "Obviously they are huge games coming up this weekend," Davis said. "This team has to figure out a way to win."
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