College Baseball

Gardner-Webb University 3, Rider University 2

BOILING SPRINGS, NC—The Broncs took an early lead and came back to tie the score in the ninth inning but eventually lost to undefeated (13-0) Gardner-Webb Sunday afternoon in the fourth game of the series. “It was a good game today,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We played much better today.”

Rider sophomore CJ Hirschy (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) started and pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits. “He threw great,” Davis said.  “He's thrown well both times out. Today, six innings and one run, you can't ask for much better than that.”

Sophomore shortstop Jake Bender (Ellicot, Md./Marriotts Ridge) hit a pair of doubles and scored both of Rider's runs out of the leadoff spot in the lineup. “He's been pretty good at the plate for us,” Davis said. “He's been pretty consistent. I think he's been on base every game.”

Rider (0-8) tied the score in the top of the ninth inning on another double and run scored by Bender.

Bender led off the game with a double and scored to give Rider its first lead of the series. “He scored both of our runs,” Davis said, “that's a good sign for our leadoff guy.”

The Runnin' Bulldogs scored one run in the fifth inning to tie the score and one in the seventh to take a 2-1 lead before winning the game in the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly.

Rider freshman Mike Maldonado (Glassboro, NJ/Glassboro) collected his first collegiate hit.  “The key is we are going to play more games like this,” Davis said, “and we got a chance to use some guys in situations like Maldonado today. The more games you play like this the better you get because you learn to play in tight games. You find out who can get it done in big situations. We found out a little bit this weekend.”

Rider and Gardner-Webb split their two game series in 2014. Rider is 1-8 against Gardner-Webb since the series began in 2009.

Rider travels to North Carolina Friday for a Spring Break week at High Point and Campbell. “Next week will be tough,” Davis said.

-ru-