BUFFALO, NY – The Rider University baseball team dropped both ends of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader versus Canisius on Saturday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The Broncs (16-18-1, 8-6 MAAC) fell to the Golden Griffins (22-15, 6-5 MAAC) in the opener, 4-3, in the opener and 7-0 in the nightcap.

In the opener, Rider took a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning before Canisius rallied for three runs to take a one-run edge. Trailing 4-3 in the top of the ninth, Rider advances runners to second and third with one out following a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Richie Tecco (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner). After a strikeout and a walk, the Griffs got out of the jam with a game-ending fly out to left field.

In the finale, a pair of Canisius pitchers combined for a six-hit shutout in the series-clinching victory. The hosts broke open a three-run contest with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the sixth.

Offensively, junior outfielder Harrison McClure (Atlanta, GA/South Florida State/North Atlanta) led the charge in game one, going 3-for-3 with two walks and an RBI. Hitting in the number –two spot, McClure accounted for half of the team's hits. The other big hit in the opener from the guests was a two-run homer from senior outfielder Tyler Kaiser (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown). Dalton Mayberry (Chadds Ford, PA/Marist College/Cumberland CC/Garnet Valley) also reached base three times in the game, going 0-for-1 with three walks. In the finale, both senior infielder Mike Volaski (Oxnard, CA/Ventura CC/Oxnard) and Tecco recorded two hits apiece. The duo combined to go 4-for-6.

On the mound, junior lefty Nick Margevicius (North Royalton, OH/Saint Ignatius) was saddled with the loss in the opener. He went 6.0 innings of work and allowed four runs on eight hits, while striking out six and surrendering just one walk. In relief, Josh Sharik (Ewing, NJ/Plumstead Christian School) and Jordan Silverman (Holland, PA/Council Rock HS South) retired all six batters they combined to face over the final two innings. In game two, freshman Pete Soporowski (South Amboy, NJ (Sayreville War Memorial) suffered his third loss of the season (2-3) as he went 5.1 innings and allowed six runs.

NOTES & QUOTES

“We were totally outplayed today,” Rider Head Coach Barry Davis said. “We did not compete as a team. It's disappointing to come up here and have this opportunity and throw it away with a poor effort.”

-  Earlier this week, junior starting pitcher Nick Margevicius was named the College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week. It marked the second week in a row that a Bronc took home the distinction.

- On Tuesday, Margevicius and freshman pitcher Pete Soporowski were honored with weekly awards by the league office. Margevicius was tabbed as the MAAC Pitcher of the Week, while Soporowski was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS

- McClure reached base safely in his first seven plate appearances on the day. The seven straight at-bats reaching base is a new career high for the transfer. 

- Kaiser's two-run shot in game one was his fourth of the season. He leads the team with 25 RBIs this season and he is tied with Riley Mihalik for tops on the team with four home runs. 

- Four of the last five MAAC games for the Broncs have been decided by one run. 

- Entering the day, Rider had a seven-game conference winning streak. 

- Earlier this week, Rider played to its first tie since 1995. The Broncs ended their non-conference tilt at Princeton knotted at seven after nine innings. The game was called due to darkness. Rider has just three ties in the last 25 years. 

- For the second week in a row, a Bronc freshman weekend starting pitcher was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week.

UP NEXT

Rider and Canisius conclude their three-game MAAC weekend series with a nine-inning matinee that is slated to begin at noon. Toeing the rubber for the Broncs will be freshman John Yocum.