Box Score College Baseball
Liberty Bell Classic Title Game
Rider University 6, Villanova University 2
PHILADELPHIA, PA—Rider senior Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) had two doubles and two runs batted in and the Bronc bullpen pitched seven and two-thirds scoreless innings, striking out 13, to lead Rider to victory in the 24th annual Liberty Bell Classic Championship Game, hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizen's Bank Park.
“We were excited to be here tonight,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
With the win, Rider (14-15, 5-1 MAAC) has now won six in a row and 10 of its last 11 games. “We're playing all nine innings,” Davis said, “and we're scrapping at the plate. We didn't hit the ball great but we were able to move the runners over and steal some bases.”
Rider senior David Hafer (Pine Grove, PA) pitched four and two thirds scoreless innings of relief, striking out a season-high seven for the win. “Hafer pitched great, as did the entire bullpen tonight,” Davis said. “He attacked the zone.”
Hafer improved to 5-1 on the season. “It was very nice pitching in a major league park,” said Hafer, who now has 10 career wins at Rider. “I loved the mound and it was a great atmosphere to pitch in.”
Sophomore Josh Sharik (Ewing, NJ/Plumstead Christian) pitched two scoreless innings of relief, striking out five without allowing a baserunner.
Thomas hit a two-run double with two outs in the ninth inning to take a 6-2 lead. “We got the big hit late,” Davis said. “That got us some separation, which was big.”
The Broncs took a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning when senior Mike Parsons (Liverpool, NY) singled, stole second and scored on a single by junior Jordan Leinweber (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County).
Rider took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning as Parsons and senior Eric Strano (Robbinsville) singled, both stole a base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Leinweber and a wild pitch.
Rider stole seven bases on the night. “We stole on good, breaking ball counts tonight,” Davis said. “A lot of our players have green lights and they did a really good job of being aggressive.”
The Broncs cut the lead to 2-1 in the third inning on a hit batter, a double by Justin Thomas and an RBI ground out.
Villanova (13-18, 1-2 BIG EAST), who has won five Liberty Bell Classics and reached the finals this year for the second time in the last three years, took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with three hits, a walk and a hit batter.
“Villanova is very good team,” Davis said. “We were able to do a good job against them tonight.”
The last time Rider and Villanova played was during the 2006 season. Rider and Villanova have now met 56 times since the series began in 1946, with Rider winning 21.
The Broncs resume Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this weekend with a three-game series at Marist, beginning with a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday.
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