College Baseball

Kent State University 13, Rider University 5

KENT, OHIO—The Broncs scored five runs in the final three innings but it wasn't enough to defeat Kent State Friday afternoon.

“They just played better than us today,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis.

For Rider (2-8), freshman Jake Bender (Ellicot, Md./Marriotts Ridge) hit an RBI double and sophomore Lee Lipinski (Glen Arm, MD/Calvert) hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 13-5 in the top of the ninth.

“Bender had a big hit for us,” Davis said.

Lipinski and senior Justin Thomas (Richboro, PA/Council Rock South) each had two of Rider's eight hits.

Senior Nick Richter (Fox River Grove, Ill./Cary-Grove) hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh inning to cut the lead to 6-1.

“Bender, Lipinski, Thomas and Richter had solid days at the plate for us,” Davis said, “but it takes more than that against a team like Kent State. They are one of the best teams on our schedule.”

Kent State  (7-6) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a walk, a double and a sacrifice fly, and took a 4-0 lead in the second inning with a pair of two-out RBI singles.

A triple and a double gave Kent a 5-0 lead in the third inning.

Rider senior Zach Mawson (Magnolia, DE/Caesar Rodney) pitched five innings and struck out five with just one walk, allowing four earned runs.

“Our bullpen can't give up seven runs in three innings,” Davis said.

Rider plays game two of the three-game series Saturday at 2pm (originally scheduled for 1pm).

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