February 25, 2006 - Liberty 7 Rider 5
February 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Liberty University 7, Rider University 5
LYNCHBURG, VA—The Broncs scored five runs in the last two innings but it was not enough to come back and defeat Liberty Saturday. "It got away from us a little early, but we had a nice come back," said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
Rider trailed 7-0 before senior Bryan Wagner (Flemington, N.J./North Hunterdon) hit a two-run triple, his second hit of the game, to get Rider on the board. "We started off slow today, came out a little flat, but we picked it up at the end," said Wagner. "I guess it was just too little too late."
Wagner has gotten off to a good start in his senior year, batting .555, and is now 33rd at Rider in career hits with 132. "I feel pretty good at the plate," Wagner said. "The coaches have worked us hard, and I wanted to get off to a good start. Now I just want to win some games."
Liberty (6-2) scored three runs in the third inning on three hits and an error, and scored another unearned run in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead, and led 7-0 after six inning. "Offensively we’re doing all right, but pitching and defense wins games," Wagner said. "Once we get all three things in order we’ll start winning games."
Rider junior pitcher Erik Holck (Readington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) struck out five Liberty batters in five and one-third innings of work without allowing a walk.
Rider rookie Jim Kennedy (Levittown, PA/Holy Ghost Prep) pitched two and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief in his collegiate debut, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
"Kennedy threw well," Davis said. "All of the young guys are doing well. They are certainly holding their own."
Bronc freshman Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) collected three hits and two RBI in his collegiate debut, while freshman Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) had a double for his first hit as a Bronc.
Senior Justin Squashic (High Bridge, N.J./Voorhees) had two more hits and now has five hits on the season for the Broncs.
Rider (0-2) plays the third and final game of the series Sunday, after losing the first two by a total of three runs. "We’re in the ball games," Davis said. "Today we’re down two with two men on and two outs and (senior Tom) Letizia (Fair Lawn) rips a line drive that would have tied the game but it was caught by the third baseman to end the game."
-RU-
