May 3, 2006 - Rider 9 Princeton 5
May 3, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Baseball
Rider University 9, Princeton Univdersity 5
LAWRENCEVILLE—Freshman Jamie Hayes (Sunrise, Florida/Piper) had two of Rider’s nine hits, both coming with two outs, and knocked in three runs, including the game-winner, to lead Rider to victory over Princeton Wednesday. “They say two-out hits win ball games, and today I guess they were right,” said Hayes.
“This was a good win for us,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “Hayes picked us up twice with a pair of two-out hits.”
Rider broke a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning with three runs on one hit and a costly Princeton error, two runs scoring on a two-out hit by Hayes. “I don’t do anything different with two outs, just try to hit the ball,” said Hayes, who batted .459 in the month of April, raising his average to .352 for the season. “I feel comfortable right now,” said the Florida native. “I like hitting in the warm weather.”
Princeton (16-23) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and led 4-0 before Rider (21-23) scored two runs in the third inning on two hits, including an RBI single by senior Mike Poalise (Hammonton). For Poalise, it was his team-high 63rd hit of the season.
The Broncs took a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning with three runs on four hits, as Hayes and freshman Mo Williams (Tinton Falls/Monmouth Regional) hit RBI singles and junior Scott Knazek (Browns Mills/Pemberton) hit an RBI double. “Scotty had a big hit for us,” said Davis.
The Tigers tied the score at 5-5 in the top of the seventh inning when Spencer Lucian tripled and scored on a single by Adrain Turnham.
Junior Erik Holck (Readington/Hunterdon Central) earned the victory in relief. “Our bullpen did a great job,” Davis said. Rider used five pitchers by design, giving as many pitchers as possible some work heading into the three-game MAAC series this weekend. “We wanted to give some guys some work, and we accomplished that without sacrificing a win,” Davis said.
Junior Jeff Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the third inning. “Reynolds is a solid hitter,” said Davis. “He gets good swings at the ball just about every at bat.”
Freshman Sean Olson (Vineland/St. Augustine Prep) doubled for Rider.
The Broncs host Manhattan in a three-game MAAC series this weekend, beginning with a 12 noon doubleheader Saturday. “This is a big weekend coming up, but no bigger than any other MAAC weekend,” said Davis. “We better be ready to play. I think we will be.”
-RU-
