LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—The Rider University baseball team will take on one of its toughest schedules in recent years, highlighted with trips to North Carolina and Ohio, while taking part in the Liberty Bell Classic which culminates at Citizen’s Bank Park.
“Taking into consideration the opponents’ 2014 RPI’s, it is one of the toughest schedules in the league,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We have a veteran team this year so this is the year to play a schedule like this. It will prepare us for our conference schedule and hopefully the tournament.”
Rider is coming off of a rough season where injuries and other factors caused the Broncs to finish well below expectations, not making the playoffs for the first time since 2007. “Basically this year we’ve thrown all the chips into the middle of the table,” Davis said, “and said ‘Let’s see what happens.’ Considering how poorly last year went, things are sure to balance out this year. We are going to have to bounce back.”
Rider begins the season with seven games in North Carolina, taking on Virginia Tech and Campbell for two games each February 20-22.
“Tech is an ACC team with all of the resources necessary to win,” Davis said. “Campbell has won 131 games over the past three years and participated in the Columbia, SC Regional.”
The Broncs return to the Tar Heel State to play a three game series with Duke February 27-March 1.
After games with Lafayette and Delaware, the Broncs travel to Ohio for five games, taking on Kent State and Ohio State March 13-18. “Kent State could be a top 40 team this year after going to a Regional last year,” Davis said.
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play begins in Loudonville, NY, as Rider plays Siena March 21-22. “Siena is the defending champion and always tough,” Davis said.
The Liberty Bell Classic consists of games with road games with Lehigh and either La Salle or Delaware. “There are eight teams, with two pools of four,” Davis explained. “A single elimination mid-week tournament can only help us so we are excited to be involved.”
The home opener is March 25, hosting New Jersey rival Rutgers.
During the MAAC bye week the Broncs will play a three-game series with St. John’s March 27-29. The Red Storm won 35 games last year and will be the consensus pick to win the Big East.
The Broncs have the toughest MAAC schedule, taking on the top eight teams from last year.
“I think our players are excited about this schedule,” Davis said. “The schedule is about as competitive as we can make it.”
The six-team MAAC Championship Tournament will take place May 20-24 in Fishkill, NY. “We hope to return this year and it is our hope this schedule will have prepared us for it,” Davis said.
