March 5, 2006 - Longwood 7 Rider 5
March 5, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Longwood University 7, Rider University 5
Letizia 100th career hit
FARMVILLE, VA—Despite out-hitting the host Lancers 14-12, the Rider Broncs lost at Longwood Sunday. “We hit the ball, we just had two bad innings,” said head coach Barry Davis. “We couldn’t field the ball in the first inning, and we couldn’t pitch the ball in the eighth.”
Longwood (11-7) scored four runs in the first inning on four hits and two Rider errors.
Rider scored a run in the third inning when senior Bryan Wagner (Flemington, N.J./North Hunterdon) singled and scored from second on a double by junior catcher Scott Knazek (Browns Mills, N.J./Pemberton). Knazek stayed hot Sunday with three hits, including a double, after collecting two hits on Saturday. “Knazek swung the bat good,” Davis said.
Sophomore pitcher Derek Caldwell (Allentown, Pa./Salisbury) allowed just two earned runs in five and two-thirds innings, striking out three. “Derek threw fine,” said Davis. “Right now he might be our best guy. He gives you a chance to win.”
Rider scored in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 4-2 when the Broncs bunched three hits. Senior Gene Crimoli (Shrewsbury, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) singled and scored on a single by freshman Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional). Crimoli and Williams each had two hits on the day.
“We left 12 men on base,” Davis said. “We have to get them in, take advantage of the opportunities we are creating for ourselves. We had bases loaded and one out and we only got one.”
After Longwood scored three in the eighth inning, the Broncs came back for three runs in the top of the ninth when senior Tom Letizia (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn) doubled for his 100th career hit, Knazek singled, Crimoli doubled and freshman Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper) singled. “Tommy is playing solid for us,” said Davis. “He swung the bat today.”
With the loss Rider falls to 0-6. “We’re better than 0-6,” said Davis. “We just haven’t shown it yet with a ‘W.’ We wanted the schedule to be competitive, and it is, and we’ve competed well, we just haven’t won yet.”
Rider plays at Delaware Wednesday. “It doesn’t get any easier,” said Davis.
-RU-
