College Baseball

Rider University 4, Quinnipiac University 2

Rider University 9, Quinnipiac University 0

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—The Broncs swept Quinnipiac in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday.

With the victory in game one Rider (25-18, 13-4 MAAC) clinched a berth in the six-team MAAC Championship Tournament, held May 20-23 at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill NY.

Quinnipiac (24-23, 14-9 MAAC) came into the doubleheader on a four game winning streak and having already clinched a playoff spot.

Rider is now 11-0 at home and has won five of six MAAC series this year. Rider has now won 10 of its last 11 games and 17 of the last 20.

“Clinching the playoff spot means the most,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.  “In the beginning of the year that is the first thing you want to do, to be in the tournament.”

In the first game Rider scored two runs in the fifth inning on two hits, including an RBI single by senior Greg Fazio (Far Hills/Ridge), to take a 4-0 lead. Fazio had two of Rider's six hits.

Rider senior Zach Mawson (Magnolia, DE/Caesar Rodney) pitched into the seventh inning, allowing two runs on five hits for his fifth win. “Zack's been good,” Davis said.

After allowing a first inning hit, Mawson faced the minimum batters from the second inning through the fifth.

Quinnipiac got on the board with a solo home run in the fifth inning and cut the lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning.

Rider sophomore Lee Lipinski (Glen Arm, MD/Calvert) singled and scored on a ground out RBI for a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.

Parsons doubled and scored on an RBI single by junior Jordan Leinweber (Castle Rock, CO/Douglas County) to give Rider a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

Senior Eric Thomas (Dallastown, PA) pitched a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two, for his 10th save of the season.

In the second game Rider broke the game open with three runs in the fourth inning on three hits, including RBI singles by junior James Locklear (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and red-shirt freshman Brian Uliana (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom), and a sacrifice fly by Thomas, to take a 7-0 lead.

“It helps the pitchers when you get up four runs, five runs, and they can attack the strike zone,” Davis said.

Locklear had three hits in the second game.

Rider freshman Nick Margevicius (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Ignatius) pitched a complete game shutout for his fifth win of the season. Margevicius struck out seven and walked just two while giving up four hits.

“When your teammates score nine runs for you it gives you a lot of confidence on the mound,” said the rookie lefty.  “The offense did a good job today.”

Margevicius has allowed just three earned runs in his last 30 innings pitched. “I didn't know that,” Margevicius said. “My stuff has been working.”

“That's impressive,” Davis said. “He throws strikes and he can get ground balls. He's been pretty consistent for us. We feel confidence when he's out there. Hopefully he can keep it going.”

In the fifth inning Rider added two more runs on just one hit, four walks and three wild pitches to go up 9-0.

The Broncs scored three runs in the third inning on three hits, including an RBI triple by Locklear and an RBI single by senior Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South), to take a 4-0 lead.

Senior Eric Strano (Robbinsville) hit an RBI single to give Rider a 1-0 lead in the second inning and had two of Rider's 10 hits.

The third game of the series will be played Sunday at 12 noon.

-ru-