NEWARK, DE – The Rider University baseball team closed out the Bob Hannah Invitational with an 8-5 loss versus host Delaware on Monday afternoon at Bob Hannah Stadium. The Broncs (3-5) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, while the Blue Hens (3-6) avenged a 4-3 setback to Rider yesterday.

Offensively, freshman Kyle Johnson (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) and sophomore Riley Mihalik (Churchville, PA/Chestnut Hill Academy) accounted for four of Rider's five hits on the day. Johnson went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Mihalik went 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.

Rider opened the scoring in the top of the first as Mihalik smacked a one-out, two-run homer. In the bottom half of the frame, the Blue Hens would respond with a three-run outburst to take a lead they would not surrender. In the third, Delaware tacked on a pair of insurance runs before scoring a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth.

On the mound for the Broncs, freshman John Yocum (Easton, PA/Freedom) was saddled with the loss. In his second career start, he tossed three innings and allowed five earned runs. Sophomore lefty Jordan Silverman (Holland, PA/Council Rock HS South) pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out two Blue Hens. Senior Dalton Mayberry (Chadds Ford, PA/Marist College/Cumberland CC/Garnet Valley) also added threw an inning of scoreless for the Broncs as well. 

“We had too many walk today and we couldn't put away innings,” Rider Head Coach Barry Davis said. “Delaware's first five runs all came with two outs and their last two were off of errors.”

“We played hard,” Davis added. “We have to figure a way to get the sweep next time the opportunity is there.”

- Johnson had a leadoff single for the Broncs to open the game for the second time this year and the first time since the season opener.

- The Broncs have scored on a wild pitch in back-to-back games as Mihalik raced home on an errant pitch in the fourth.

- Yocum's final line was 3 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 3 K, 3 BB.

- Mihalik reached base safely three times as he also registered a walk on the day. 

- Tyler Kaiser had an RBI ground out in the fourth for Rider.

- Mayberry had an RBI single to right in the top of the eighth before coming on to pitch the bottom half.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS

- Mihalik's two-run shot in the first inning was his first of the season and the fifth of his career.

- In two appearances this season, Silverman has worked 2.2 innings and not allowed a run.

- Johnson leads the team with eight hits.

- Rider committed two errors on the day and have made 9 errors on the season.

ON DECK

Rider returns to action next weekend with a three-game series at Georgia with game one slated to get underway on Friday, March 10, at 6:00 pm. The Broncs and the Bulldogs will play a single, nine-inning game on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.