College Baseball
Seven Broncs Honored by NJCBA
EAST BRUNSWICK--Three Broncs were named First Team All-State, one was named Second Team All-State and four were named to the All-Rookie Team, by the New Jersey College Baseball Association.
Senior Brandon Cotten (Wiconisco, Pa./Williams Valley), sophomore Mike Murphy (Hamilton/Peddie) and junior Ian Lindsay (Oaklyn/Haddon Twp.) were named First Team and junior Adam Wayman (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) was named Second Team.
Named to the NJCBA All-Rookie team were freshman Kurt Sowa (Bensalem, PA/Fr. Judge), freshman Zach Mawson (Magnolia, DE/Caesar Rodney) and freshman Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South).
"It is a great honor to be recognized by the States coaches," said Rider head coach Barry Davis. "They are all deserving and I am proud of each one of them."
Cotten has been considered the best defensive outfielder in the area for some time now and is batting .328 with 60 hits. Cotten recently became the 10th Bronc to ever compile 200 career hits and enters the MAAC Tournament with 208 hits, eighth most ever at Rider. Cotten's 139 career runs scored is ninth most ever at Rider.
Murphy picked up his fifth win in his last six starts last time out and will try to improve on his 6-4 record in the MAAC Tournament. Murphy is among the MAAC leaders in wins, strikeouts (54), innings pitched (85) and earned run average (2.85).
Lindsay is the designated hitter and leads Rider with a .342 batting average, collecting 51 hits in just 38 games started. Lindsay recently helped Rider clinch the MAAC playoff berth by batting .462 in the final conference series with six hits, four RBI and three runs scored. This season Lindsay batted .375 in the all-important conference games.
Wayman has played an outstanding third base this season with 113 assists and has collected 58 hits, including a team-high 13 doubles.
Sowa is second on the Rider team in wins (five) and has compiled 49 strikeouts in 72 innings.
Mawson has compiled a team-high five saves this season.
Thomas is batting .299 with 35 hits in just 30 games started and batted .339 against conference pitchers.
Rider (21-32, 13-11 MAAC) has won nine of its last 15 games.
Rider clinched a playoff berth in the four-team 2012 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship Tournament, May 24-27 at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, hosted by Siena.
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