Lawrenceville, NJ – With the trees overlooking the outfield of Sonny Pittaro Field beginning to change colors and fall from their limbs, it means it's time for Rider baseball's annual Cranberry and Black series.
Marking its 14th year, the Cranberry and Black series is a best two out of three series, each game consisting of three innings, which brings an official end to the Broncs fall baseball season.
The first pitch is scheduled for 11:01 am on Saturday, October 21.
Team Cranberry, named after Rider's founder, Andrew J. Rider, the Cranberry King of North America, leads the all-time series, nine to four. Cranberry has won 27 three-inning games compared to 22 won by Black.
Last year, it was a sweep for Cranberry. Cranberry has won three straight series and seven of the last eight.
This year, the Cranberry team will be led by senior
Harrison McClure and junior
Richie Tecco. McClure appeared in 52 games and made 49 starts in the outfield for the Broncs last year. He was second on the team with 33 runs scored, while recording an OBP of .327. During his first season with the team he had a seven-game hitting streak and he was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. Tecco had a breakout year for the Broncs in 2017, hitting .303 for Rider in MAAC play during the regular season. He was honored as the College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week on April 11 and was tabbed as the Team's Most Improved Player.
Team Black will be led by sophomore
Kyle Johnson and junior
Riley Mihalik. Johnson was the only Bronc to appear in all 53 games, including 52 starts at second base last spring. He led the team with 59 hits and 19 multi-hits games. He also had four three-hit games (three of which came against MAAC opponents). He was named the College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week on March 14. Mihlaik started and appeared in 50 games for the Broncs as a sophomore, predominantly as the designated hitter. He hit .279 with 50 hits, 28 RBIs, 81 total bases and led the team with 34 runs scored.
TEAM ROSTERS
Black Team (12)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cranberry Team (12)
Pitchers                                                              Pitchers
SPARANOÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â GAKALER
ARNETHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PAPEO
SILVERMANÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â PACELLA
YOCUMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SCHULTE
HIRSCHYÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â VITACCO (P)
ESTEVEZ-PPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â STEPHAN (P)
                                       PAYESKO (INJ)
Position Players                         SOPOROWSKI
BENDERÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
CLARKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Position Players
MIHALIKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MCALLISTER
STOCKWELLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â TECCO
JOHNSONÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MCCLURE
SIMONEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BARBIERE
                                       HARDING
                                                                             PRIOLO
CARABALLO – INJ (eligible for 2018 Cran-Black)
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