April 23, 2006 - Rider 10 Niagara 6
April 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider University 10, Niagara University 6
LAWRENCEVILLE—Freshman Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, FL/Piper) collected a career-high five hits, including a two-run double, to lead Rider to a come-from-behind Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win over first-place Niagara Sunday. “That was a good win against a good team,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.
“To my knowledge, that’s the first five-hit game I’ve ever had, on any level,” said Hayes, who had five of Rider’s 10 hits, knocked in three, and scored two, including the tying run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch.
Hayes also extended his hitting streak to eight games, while raising his batting average to .350. When Hayes is not playing outfield, he is the Rider closer out of the bull pen, and is scheduled to take over at shortstop next year. “I enjoy all three positions, but pitching is what I like most,” said Hayes, “I like to have the ball in my hand.”
Whereas most pitchers prefer to be starters, Hayes enjoys the role as closer. “I think I have the closer mentality,” said Hayes, who has a team-high three saves this season. “I like to be able to go all out for just one inning.”
Rider (15-22, 9-4 MAAC) jumped out to a 4-1 lead with four first-inning runs on four hits, the biggest hit an RBI double by freshman Sean Olson (Vineland/St. Augustine Prep). “To me, the biggest at bat of the first inning was Hayes’,” said Davis. “He had two strikes and with two out he fouled off about seven pitches before hitting an RBI single. That was huge.”
Niagara (19-15, 10-3 MAAC) scored five runs in the third inning on five hits, including three doubles and a two-run home run by Mike Medici, to take a 6-4 lead. “We didn’t panic when we were down, and that’s a good sign,” said Davis. “This was a good team win.”
Rider took a 7-6 lead with three runs in the fifth inning, the winning run scoring on an RBI single by sophomore Jeff Reynolds (Denville/Parsippany Hills).
Sophomore Will O’Connor (Cinnaminson) pitched five innings without allowing a walk, improving to 5-0 on the season. “Willie struggled in the third inning but settled down and got a big strike out when we needed it,” said Davis. Niagara had a runner on third base with two outs in the fourth inning, holding a 5-4 lead, and O’Connor got a strike out looking to end the inning.
Junior Erik Holck (Readington/Hunterdon Central) pitched the final four innings and faced just 12 batters, retiring the final 10 in a row for the save, his second. “That’s exactly the situation we want to have Erik in and he did a great job,” said Davis.
“I didn’t mind at all not coming in to pitch the ninth inning today, the way Holck was throwing,” said Hayes. “He did a great job today. He was on a role. He came in and got the job done.”
Senior Mike Poalise (Hammonton) scored three runs for the Broncs.
The second and third games of the three-game MAAC series will be played Monday, beginning at 11:00 am. “My goal when I came up north was to contribute, help the team reach the MAAC playoffs, and hopefully win the conference title,” said Hayes. “Today was a great step in that direction, knocking off the first place team.”
“I’m happy we were able to get this game in,” said Davis, referring to the early morning rain that changed the 12 noon doubleheader to a 3pm single game.
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