Courtesy: Beverly SchaeferIn its final non-conference game of the regular season, the Princeton baseball team was edged 10-9 at Rider. Despite a pair of multi-run innings, the Tigers were unable to overcome the Broncs early advantage.
In the first inning, Peter Owens led off reaching on a fielding error by Rider's shortstop Mike Parsons. Three batters later, he would score on a Tyler Servais RBI single to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
Princeton's early lead quickly was countered in the bottom half of the frame, as Rider capitalized on seven walks and six wild pitches to score eight runs on one hit to take an 8-1 lead.
Despite going down by seven runs in the first, Princeton responded in the second with a six-run rally. With the bases loaded, Owens hit an RBI single and two batters later Sam Mulroy was hit by a pitch, sending home a second Tiger run. Mike Ford, who went 2-for-3, then ripped the ball over the right field fence for his first career grand slam. Ford's first homer of the year made it a one-run game, 8-7.
Rider remained in control, adding a run in the third and fifth innings to hold a 10-7 lead.
In the eighth Princeton jumped back within range, making it a one-run game, 10-9. With two outs, pinch hitter Ryan Albert hit an RBI single to left field and Mulroy followed with an RBI single up the middle. Princeton's final rally fell short, as the Tigers were unable to even the score over their final offensive opportunities.
Princeton will play its final Ivy series versus Cornell this weekend with a home-and-home four-game series. The Tigers play in Ithaca, N.Y. on Friday, April 27 in doubleheader action at 12 noon. The series concludes on Sunday, April 29 with a twinbill at Clarke Field slated for 12 noon. Princeton (17-18, 10-6 Ivy) is three games behind the Big Red (13-3) in the Gehrig Division and will need to sweep the series to advance to the Ivy League Championship Series.
