College Baseball
Rider University 4, Saint Peter's College 3 (11 innings)
Saint Peter's College 8, Rider University 0
JERSEY CITY-The Broncs split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Saint Peter's Saturday. "We were very fortunate to win the first game," said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
In the first game sophomore Ken Kremer (Hershey, PA/Hershey) hit an RBI single in the 11th inning to give Rider a 4-3 lead.
Freshman Zach Mawson (Magnolia, DE/Caesar Rodney) pitched four and two-thirds innings of relief for the win, allowing just one run on two hits for his first collegiate win. "Mawson did fine," Davis said.
Freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) hit an RBI single in the 10th inning to give Rider a 3-2 lead. "We got a big hit from Justin," Davis said.
SPC tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the tenth with a sacrifice fly. SPC scored an unearned run in the sixth inning, tying the score at 2-2.
An RBI single by sophomore Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) in the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Crescenzo had three hits in the first game, giving him 100 hits for his career in just his 82nd start.
"That's a good milestone," Davis said, "to reach as a sophomore is impressive. If he keeps up this productive he can challenge as one of the top hitters in program history. It is nice to get your 100th hit in a win."
SPC tied the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning.
Sophomore Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) hit an RBI double in the fourth inning to give Rider a 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Mike Murphy (Hamilton/Peddie) pitched six and one-third innings, allowing one earned run. "He didn't have his best stuff but he gutted it out," Davis said of his ace. "He battled, competed, and that's what you need."
Freshman Eric Strano (Robbinsville) had two hits for the Broncs.
Junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) doubled and played a strong third base. "Wayman turned a key double play for us," Davis said.
In the second game, Saint Peter's (17-26, 8-6 MAAC) scored six runs in the third inning on five hits, including two doubles and a triple to take a 6-0 lead. "You have to give them credit," Davis said. "They swung the bats. That has been a problem for us this year, giving up the big inning."
Rider (15-27, 8-9 MAAC) managed just five hits in the second game, including doubles by Thomas and freshman Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY).
The Broncs won 11 straight meetings with Saint Peter's before the loss Saturday. Rider has only lost to the Peacocks five times in 59 games since the series began in 1941. The Peacocks last defeated Rider in May of 2008 in the first game of the three-game series.
The Broncs were playing without All-MAAC centerfielder Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley), who is sidelined with a foot injury. Cotten (.303) leads Rider with 44 hits, 28 runs scored, nine doubles and 13 stolen bases along with his 93 putouts and seven assists from the outfield.
The third game of the series is Sunday at 12 noon. "Tomorrow is a very important ball game," Davis said, "because it is for the series. We need to play better."
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