LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University baseball team picked up its first win of the season on Tuesday afternoon defeating visiting Lafayette, 2-0, at Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs (1-4) avenged a 6-3 setback to the Leopards (1-7) last season. The game was called after eight innings due to darkness.

Rider scored both of its runs on wild pitches and recorded its first shutout since April of 2015 against Iona. Freshman John Yocum (Easton, PA/Freedom) was solid in his collegiate debut for the Broncs, tossing 4.2 innings of scoreless ball. In relief, four Rider pitchers combined to keep the Leopards off the board. To cap the day off, sophomore Anthony Arneth (Pine Beach, NJ/Central Regional) worked a scoreless eighth to earn the save.

Offensively, senior Mike Volaski (Oxnard, CA/Ventura CC/Oxnard) went 2-for-4 to account for half of the team's hits. Rider scored in the top of the first when Jake Bender (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) raced home on a wild pitch with two outs. The Broncs added an insurance run in the fifth when Richie Tecco (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner) also scored on a wild pitch.

For the Leopards, both Quentin Bubb and Steven Cohen had two hits apiece. David Giusti was saddled with the loss. He threw one inning and allowed one unearned run. 

NOTES & QUOTES
“I think it was a good day for Yocum on the mound to see how he could handle it,” Rider University Head Coach Barry Davis said. “He did a great job. He threw strikes and kept the ball away. John knows when to put a little extra on it and when to take some off and he showed that today.”

“Line drive to Johnson and if he doesn't make that play right there in the sixth it might be a different ballgame,” Davis added. “He's been very good at second base and that play is indicative how he played all weekend in Charlotte.”

- Diorio came in with runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs in the top of the sixth and got out of the jam unscathed. He forced a line out and then induced an inning-ending 1-6-3 double-play ball.  

- Bender's steal of second in the bottom of the seventh was his first of the season. 

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
-Rider's unearned run in the first was their second of the season.

- Yocum was solid for the Broncs. His final line was 4.2 innings, 5H 3K. He did not allow an earned run in his collegiate debut. 

- Volaski collected two hits and also reached on an error. He became the third Bronc to record a multi-hit game this season and the first since the season opener at Charlotte last Friday. 

- Arneth's save was the first of his career. 

ON DECK

Rider returns to action this weekend competing at the Bob Hannah Invitational hosted by Delaware. The Broncs begin a busy weekend of play on Friday, March 3, against Delaware State. First pitch is slated for 11:00 AM against the Hornets at Bob Hannah Stadium.