RADFORD, VA – On a cold and overcast Friday afternoon, the Rider University baseball team fell to host Radford, 18-0, on St. Patrick's Day at the Radford Baseball Stadium. The Broncs (6-8) have now dropped two of their last three, while the Highlanders (6-11) won their third in a row at home.

Radford scored early, taking advantage of a Rider miscue in the first to plate two runs to take an early edge. The Highlanders would not let up, plating three runs in both the second and third frames before tacking on two more insurance runs in the fourth.

The hosts added to their advantage with three runs in the bottom half of the sixth to hold a 13-0 lead. The Broncs had a tough time getting going offensively, mustering just one hit over the first six innings. 

Rider's best chance to plate a run came in the seventh inning when freshman Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and sophomore Brennan McAllister (Middletown, DE/Middletown) had back-to-back two-out singles. When Simone advanced to second, he was the first Bronc in scoring position all afternoon. Highlander starter Zack Ridgely got out of the jam by inducing an inning-ending groundout.

The Broncs did the same thing in the eighth, getting back-to-back, two-out singles from Brian Uliana (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) and Richie Tecco (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner), but were unable to capitalize.

Offensively, five different Broncs had one hit apiece.  

On the mound, freshman Pete Soporowski (South Amboy, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) was saddled with the loss for the Broncs. Soporowski, who is now 1-2 on the spring, tossed 2.2 innings and allowed eight runs, six of which were earned. The first-year lefty struck out two Highlanders and surrendered seven hits, while walking two batters.

NOTES & QUOTES

“There's nothing good about today,” Rider University Head Coach Barry Davis said. "We didn't come ready to compete at the level required." 

- The Broncs committed a season-high five errors.

- The two game streak of 10 or more hits for Rider came to an end.

- The 18 runs allowed are the most this season for the Broncs. 

- Four of the five Rider pitchers to toe the rubber all surrendered at least two runs.
- Dalton Mayberry worked two innings of perfect relief for Rider. Mayberry struck out three hitters and faced the minimum. 

- Rider was shutout for the first time since April 30 of last season against Siena.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS

- Lee Lipinski has now recorded at least one hit in seven of his last eight appearances. He has smacked a hit in seven straight starts. 

- Simone's single was his third career hit. In his young career, he has a double and two singles. 

- McAllister's pinch-hit single in the seventh was his first of the season. Entering the game he was 0-for-4 in those situations.

ON DECK

Rider and Radford take to the field on Saturday, March 18, for the second game of a three-game series. First pitch is slated for 2:00 pm.