Rider beats Fairfield in 12 innings at MAAC Tournament

POMONA, N.Y. » Something about the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament brings out the best in Dr. Barry Davis’ bunch.

Socrates Bardatsos hit a sacrifice fly to plate Jack Winsett in the 12th inning, Cal Stalzer tossed 5.2 innings of scoreless relief and the fifth-seeded Broncs upset top-seeded Fairfield, 4-3, on Thursday afternoon at Clover Field and advance to the winners’ bracket final.

Rider (27-24) has won seven straight games at the MAAC Tournament, dating back to last season’s 5-0 run to the title, and faces the winner of the Marist/ Canisius game on Friday at 11 a.m. for a spot in the championship round.

“We did just enough,” Davis said. “Get the ball in play, get the guy over, and get him in.”

Stalzer was brilliant in relief after Vincent Vitacco gave the Broncs 6.1 innings of three-run ball and Frank DelGuerico hit the only batter he faced in the seventh. The right-hander from West Des Moines, Iowa, struck out five, walked five (one intentional) and didn’t allow a hit.

Rider finally pushed a run across in a tense game in the 12th after Winsett reached on an error, stole second and went to third on John Volpe’s ground out. Bardatsos fouled off four pitches as he worked the count to 2-2 against right-hander Peter Ostensen before lofting a deep fly ball to center field.

Stalzer put the regularseason champ down in order in the bottom of the 12th.

“It gives you confidence to throw strikes,” Stalzer said. “I don’t know if I threw enough, but every time I did, those guys made the plays for us to win the game. It’s a lot of fun. Getting that hug from (catcher Brian) Skettini again was nice. There’s nothing like getting the final out of a game.”

It didn’t look good for the locals early when the Stags (31-20) scored twice against Vitacco in the first inning, but the Broncs righthander settled down nicely — he was also helped by a pair of double plays started by Volpe at shortstop — and pitched into the seventh inning. Vitacco allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out two.

Rider took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning against Fairfield lefty Michael Sansone thanks to a basesloaded walk, a fielder’s choice and RBI single off the bat off Jake Barbieiri.