April 1, 2006 - Rider 8 Siena 4 / Siena 2 Rider 1
April 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider University 8, Siena College 4
Siena College 2, Rider University 1
LAWRENCEVILLE—The Broncs split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader with Siena Saturday. “The first game was a pretty solid performance by the entire team, and the second game was a well pitched, well played game by both teams,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
In the first game, Rider jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning, led by a two-run home run by senior Gene Crimoli (Shrewsbury/Christian Brothers Academy). “Gene was hot today,” said Davis. He really drove the ball.”
“I felt pretty good today,” said Crimoli, who had five hits in the doubleheader, and now has 148 for his career, 30th most ever at Rider. It was the third home run of the year and the 11th career homer for Cromili, who had four of Rider’s 10 hits, along with three RBI. “The career numbers are something that is in the back of my mind, but the main focus is winning the conference games, and eventually winning the conference championship,” Crimoli said.
Sophomore pitcher Will O’Connor (Cinnaminson) started and went seven innings, striking out four while walking just one, improving to 2-0 on the season. “Willie pitched out of a few situations,” Davis said. “That’s the second straight weekend he has pitched very well.”
“I just went out there and tried to throw strikes and let the defense make the plays,” said O’Connor. “I know if they put the ball in play the defense will make the plays. I want to go out there every time and give our team a chance to win. Our offense will come through and my role is to throw strikes.”
Senior Steve Sciaraffo (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) pitched two shutout innings for the save, allowing no hits. “Steve did a good job,” said Davis.
In the second game, Rider (6-18, 3-2 MAAC) managed just five hits, two by senior Bryan Wagner (Flemington, N.J./North Hunterdon). “I feel really comfortable at the plate right now,” said Wagner, who had four hits on the day, and now has 161 career hits, 23rd highest ever at Rider. “Those career numbers don’t mean anything now,” said Wagner. “The only reason I came back for a fifth year was to get back to the MAAC tournament. This team is good enough to win the MAAC Championship, and that’s my goal.”
Rider tied the score at 1-1 in the first inning when Wagner doubled and scored. Siena (4-17, 1-4 MAAC) scored the game winner in the third inning on a double-play ground out. “A 2-1 game on a hitter’s day,” said Davis, referring to the windy conditions. “(Junior Erik) Holck (Readington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) pitched well enough to win,” said Davis. Holck allowed two runs and left one out shy of a complete game. “We just never got anything going offensively. Both teams pitched well.”
The third game of the series is Sunday at 12 noon. Freshman Jim Kennedy (Levittown, PA/Holy Ghost), who has won his last two starts, is the starting pitcher for the 12 noon contest. “We’re hoping Jim pitches like he did last week when he beat Marist,” said Davis. “We were 2-4 against Marist and Siena last year, and we’d like to turn that around (4-2) with a win tomorrow.”
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