College Baseball
Campbell University 4, Rider University 3
BUIES CREEK, NC—On 'getaway day' the Broncs sent 'Johnny Wholestaff' to the mound and gave nationally ranked Campbell a game. “I thought we played hard and competed tonight,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
Six Rider pitchers held the 29th ranked Campbell Camels to two earned runs on Wednesday in a loss that brought the Spring Break road trip through North Carolina to an end.
“It worked out in a way,” Davis said of using six relievers. “They all did a good job. We kicked some balls around in the field but the bullpen was fine. I think it showed we have depth on the mound.”
Junior relief pitcher/outfielder Jerry Mulderig (Langhorne, PA/Council Rock South) made his first start on the Rider mound and pitched three innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out two.
A veteran of 13 appearances on the Rider mound, Mulderig pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning with two strikeouts. “He pitched out of it with a big strike out and struck out their leadoff batter,” Davis said. “You have to give him credit for his first start.”
In the ninth inning Mulderig the designated hitter hit a two-run single to cut the lead to 4-3.
Rider (8-8) sophomore catcher Eric Strano (Robbinsville) and senior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) each had two of Rider's six hits. “Those two handled the bats, hit line drives,” Davis said.
Senior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) and sophomore Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY) also collected hits for the Broncs. “I thought Lindsay had a couple of good at bats,” Davis said.
Sophomore Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) had a ground out RBI in the ninth inning to get Rider on the scoreboard. “We've been doing that, taking a while to score and scoring late,” Davis said. “We need to be more consistent at the plate throughout the game.”
Campbell (18-3) scored two unearned runs in the seventh inning to take a 3-0 lead and added what turned out to be the winning run in the eighth inning on a walk and a double.
The Camels scored a run in the second inning on three hits and two walks. “Campbell's a good team,” Davis said. “We've played a good schedule so far against some very good teams. Now we're coming north and maybe we can put some wins together.”
The Broncs host NJIT in a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday before traveling to NJIT for a single game Sunday.
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