College Baseball
Fairfield University 3, Rider University 1
FAIRFIELD, CT-The Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Fairfield Monday. Both teams had seven hits. "They got hits with runners in scoring position and we didn't," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "We had a few opportunities to score."
Rider won the series two games to one. "Looking at the big picture we are pleased with that," Davis said. "I think we turned the corner a little bit this weekend. Our focus is trying to get better. We have three of the remaining five series' at home."
Fairfield (12-19, 3-6 MAAC) tied the score at 1-1 with a triple and a wild pitch in the second inning and took a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning with two runs on two singles and two doubles.
Rider senior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley) led off the game with a single, stole second and scored on a single by sophomore Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead.
Rider (9-21, 4-5 MAAC) freshman Kurt Sowa (Bensalem, PA/Fr. Judge) pitched six and one-third innings, striking out six while walking four and allowed two runs on four hits.
Sophomore Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) pitched a scoreless, hitless eighth inning, striking out one and walking one and collected a hit as the right fielder in the seventh inning. "Jerry did a good job coming in to pitch," Davis said. "He shut the door."
Freshman Greg Fazio (Far Hills/Ridge) had two of Rider's seven hits. "Greg swung the bat," Davis said, "but nobody hit around him."
Junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) and freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) also had hits for the Broncs. "Offensively we still seem to struggle," Davis said.
The last time Rider won the series with Fairfield was in 2008, winning two of the three games played here in Connecticut.
Since the series began in 1956, Rider has won 39 of the 62 meetings. Since Rider joined the MAAC the Broncs are 26-21 against Fairfield.
The Broncs travel to Monmouth Wednesday. The last time Rider won at Monmouth was April 27, 2004 (4-2). The Hawks have won the last five games with Rider at Monmouth. "They seem to have our number," Davis said of the Hawks. "Hopefully we're due to win one there."
Rider defeated Monmouth 9-5 in Lawrenceville in 2009 and the teams did not play last year.
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