Rider University 5, Canisius College 3

Canisius College 1, Rider University 0

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ—The Broncs split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader with the defending champions Saturday.

In the loss, Rider committed three errors while collecting just two hits. “When you only get two hits and commit three errors you are not going to win to many times,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “We did not play solid defense today.”

In the first game sophomore Nick Margevicius (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Ignatius) pitched six and two-thirds innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out eight without a walk for his third win of the season. “We expect Nick to give us games like this,” Davis said. “He again did a great job.”

The MAAC Pitcher of the Week for all games played April 5-11, Margevicius has allowed just one earned run in his last 14.2 innings with 21 strikeouts.

Rider (11-21, 3-5 MAAC) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when junior Tyler Kaiser (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) hit an RBI double with two outs and scored on an RBI single by junior Mike Volaski (Oxnard, CA/Oxnard). “Two two-out hits is what you need,” Davis said.

Volaski had two RBI in the first game. “He's swinging the bat,” Davis said. “He's gotten comfortable at the plate.”

Junior Dalton Mayberry (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnett Valley) had two of Rider's seven hits in game one. “The middle of our order is pretty formidable,” Davis said. “We have a pretty good middle of the order and it is exciting to see that happen.”

In the second game Canisius (16-18, 7-4 MAAC) scored the lone run of the game in the top of the seventh (last) inning on a hit batter, a single and an error on a sacrifice bunt.

Rider junior Vincenzo Aiello (Staten Island, NY/Tottenville) pitched his third complete game of the season, allowing one unearned run and one walk while striking out seven. “Vin has really been pitching well,” Davis said. “We should have an opportunity to win every time Nick and Vin start for us,” Davis said.

Aiello pitched a nine-inning compete game last Sunday in a victory over the defending Northeast Conference Champion, Sacred Heart.

Volaski and sophomore Christian Estevez (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) collected Rider's two hits. Volaski extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

The third game of the series will be Sunday at 12 noon on the Sonny Pittaro Field. “We have a chance to win the game tomorrow and win the series,” Davis said.

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