April 9, 2006 - Rider 7 Fairfield 3 / Rider 6 Fairfield 2
April 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider University 7, Fairfield University 3
Rider University 6, Fairfield University 2
FAIRFIELD, CT—The Broncs swept Fairfield in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday. “That’s the first doubleheader we’ve swept in a while, and it feels good, especially on the road,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We had two well pitched ball games today.”
In the first game, Rider scored four runs in the fourth inning on four hits. “That was a big inning for us,” said Davis. “that was good to put some hits together.” The biggest hit of the inning was a two-run single by freshman Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, Fla./Piper). “Hayes played well again today,” said Davis.
Senior Gene Crimoli (Shrewsbury/Christian Brothers Academy) hit an RBI triple to knock in Hayes, and Crimoli scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Jeff Reynolds (Denville/Parsippany Hills. Junior Scott Knazek (Browns Mills, N.J./Pemberton) also doubled in the fourth. “Gene had a big hit for us there, and swung the bat well all day,” said Davis.
Hayes and Crimoli each had two hits in the first game, as did senior Mike Poalise (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton). Crimoli had three hits and scored four runs in the doubleheader.
The Broncs added two insurance runs in the ninth inning when senior Bryan Wagner (Flemington, N.J./North Hunterdon) hit an RBI double and scored on an RBI single by senior Tom Letizia (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn). “The seniors had a couple clutch hits there,” Davis said. Wagner had two of Rider’s seven hits in the second game.
Sophomore Will O’Connor (Cinnaminson) pitched seven and two-thirds innings for the win, striking out five while allowing just two earned runs. “Willie pitched well,” said Davis.
Junior Erik Holck (Readington/Hunterdon Central) pitched the final one and one-third innings of the first game for his first save of the season. “Erik came in and did the job, getting the last four outs for us.”
Freshman Adam Tussey (Brooklawn/Gloucester) hit an RBI double with two outs in the sixth inning to give Rider a 5-3 lead.
In the second game, freshman Jimmer Kennedy (Levittown, PA/Holy Ghost Prep) struck out a career-high eight in a seven-inning complete game, improving to 3-2 on the season. “Jim threw fine and had some big strike outs at some key times,” said Davis.
Freshman Maurice Williams (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) hit a two-run single in the fourth inning to give Rider (10-19, 5-3 MAAC) a 4-0 lead. “Mo had a big hit for us,” said Davis.
Fairfield (8-16, 4-4 MAAC) scored twice in the fourth inning on three hits to cut the lead to 4-2.
The third game of the series will be played at 12 noon Monday. “Overall, we played pretty solid baseball today,” said Davis. “Sunday is a game that could make a difference at the end of the year. We’ve already won the series, but we’ve got to play hard Sunday.”
-RU-
