College Baseball

Ball State University 4, Rider University 1

LYNCHBURG, VA—Despite out-hitting the Cardinals Rider lost to Ball State at Liberty University Friday afternoon. “We didn't make that many mistakes but every one we made they took advantage of,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “They got their hits with runners on base and we didn't.”

For Rider (2-3) senior Ken Kremer (Hershey, PA/Hershey) and sophomore James Locklear (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) each had two of Rider's eight hits. “Kenny swung the bat and Lock had the big hit,” Davis said. “We had eight hits but they were scattered.”

Ball State (7-2) scored four runs, three earned, on six hits, three walks and a Rider error.

Ball State went up 3-1 on an error, a wild pitch and a two-out single in the fourth inning, and took a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning by reaching base on a third strike wild pitch, stealing second and third and scoring on another two-out single. “Their nine hitter had two two-out hits and drove in three runs,” Davis said.

Rider senior Nick Crescenzo (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) singled and scored on a double by Locklear in the fourth inning to cut the Ball State lead to 2-1.

Ball State took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a walk, a double and a two-run single. “We had three walks and two of them scored, and we commit an error and he scored,” Davis said.

Rider junior Kurt Sowa (Bensalem, PA/Fr. Judge) pitched seven innings and struck out nine. The 2013 MAAC Pitcher of the Year with an 11-1 record, Sowa falls to 0-2 this year. “He threw better,” Davis said.

Junior Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South), junior Nick Richter (Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove) and junior Greg Fazio (Far Hills/Ridge) also collected hits for Rider. Fazio tripled in the fifth inning. “We did some good things we just didn't do enough,” Davis said.

Rider freshman Ben Deaver (Fallston, Md./Calvert Hall) pitched the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing one walk while striking out one. “Deaver made his debut and pitched a clean inning,” Davis said.  “Credit their pitchers, they didn't walk anyone.”

The Broncs play host Liberty at 3pm Saturday and Ball State at 6pm Saturday. Sunday's 3pm game with Liberty will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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