Rider Moves Within One Win Of MAAC Title With Win Over Canisius

Rider Moves Within One Win Of MAAC Title With Win Over Canisius

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Box Score

Fishkill, NY - #3 Rider defeated top-seeded Canisius, 10-5, to advance to the 2010 MAAC Championship game at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y.

For the second straight game Rider came flying out of the gates. After scoring five runs in the first inning on Wednesday in the win over Marist, Rider scored four runs in the first inning Thursday on five hits, including a two-run single by junior John Ralston and an RBI single by senior Nick Wojnowski. The Broncs added another run in the second inning when sophomore Brandon Cotten walked, stole second, went to third on a single and scored on a single by junior Mason Heyne.

Freshman Mike Murphy pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven and walking two. Murphy struck out the side in the second inning and faced just 13 batters in the first four innings.

Rider's A.J. Albee led the way for the Broncs as he went 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI, and three runs scored. Albee hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to give Rider a 10-5 lead. He had an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch to give Rider a 7-1 lead in the sixth inning.

Rider will play the winner of #1 Canisius vs. #4 Manhattan (3:00 p.m.) in the first championship game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. If the Broncs lose tomorrow night there will be a deciding seventh game on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Click here to watch post-game interviews with Rider head coach Barry Davis and A.J. Albee.