College Baseball

Rider's Mawson Honored by MAAC

LAWRENCEVILLE-- Zach Mawson of the Rider University baseball team was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for all games played the final week of April.

"This is great that the MAAC acknowledged the week Zach had," said Rider head coach Barry Davis.  "We haven't had many of these conference awards this season."

A freshman from Magnolia, DE (Caesar Rodney), Mawson appeared in three games last week as a relief pitcher, compiling a win and two saves.  He also started a game in right field and compiled a hit, a run scored and a run batted in.

"He was very important to our 4-1 week," Davis said.

In seven innings on the mound last week, Mawson allowed just one run on three hits while striking out two. "He's come on and developed into a solid closer," Davis said.

He earned the save in Rider's 7-5 win at Saint Joseph's, he earned the save the next day in Rider's 10-9 win over Princeton and he earned the win on Saturday in Rider's extra inning MAAC win over Saint Peter's.

Prior to the Princeton game Rider's right fielder was injured in batting practice and Mawson had to make an emergency start in the outfield. "He's quite an athlete who came here as a pitcher/outfielder," Davis said. "When the year started it appeared he would be able to help us the most on the mound."

He played the first seven and two thirds innings in right, and came on to pitch the final four outs without allowing a base runner.

Rider hosts Lafayette Wednesday and returns to MAAC action this weekend, hosting Siena for a three-game series Saturday and Sunday.

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