ELON, NC – The Rider University baseball team fell on the road to Elon, 13-2, on Friday afternoon in non-conference action at Latham Park.

The Phoenix (9-9) pounced on the Broncs (5-12) early, plating five runs in the bottom of the first. Elon never trailed en route to their seventh home victory of the spring.

In the bottom of the first, the big blow against Rider starter Joe Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) came with two outs as Elon's Joe Satterfield smacked a three-run homer to left field.

Rider cut the deficit to just three at 5-2 after three innings thanks to scoring single runs in the second and third frames. In the third, senior leadoff hitter Jake Bender (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge) started the stanza with a solo shot to left.

The Phoenix tacked on three runs in the fourth to stretch their lead to six at 8-2. Elon took advantage of a Bronc fielding miscue to plate a trio of unearned runs.

Rider was unable to put anything together at the dish down the stretch, while the hosts scored one or more runs in each of the final five innings.   

NOTES & QUOTES
"There pitcher, Brnovich, was one of the best we've seen all year. We got back in the game and trailed, 5-2, then proceeded to give them five outs in the bottom of the fourth which led to three runs. – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

"It was uncompetitive from that point forward. We did not and were not prepared. The high level mindset required to win at this level was not visible. It's on me. It's on me and I'll fix it one way or another." – Davis

- Rider is 3-10 in true road games this season.
- Rider had six hits and committed one error.
- Elon scored three unearned runs in the game and the Broncs plated one unearned run.  
- Rider was 0-for-7 with runners on base and 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
- At the plate, the Broncs struck out 17 times.  

 BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Papeo was saddled with the loss on the bump for the Broncs. Her went six innings and allowed 10 runs (seven of which were earned). He surrendered 10 hits and struck out two batters. The start was the longest of his young career.
- Freshman Jake Barbiere collected two of Rider's six hits on the day. He went 2-for-3 with a walk. It was his third multi-hit game of the spring.  
- Riley Mihalik ran his hitting streak to eight games with a third-inning double down the first-base line. He now has 99 career hits.
- Bender's home run was his first of the season and the third of his career. He has reached base safely in seven straight games.
- Timothy Stephan worked the final two innings on the mound for Rider. He struck out two hitters and scattered two hits, while surrendering three earned runs.

UP NEXT
Rider and Elon continue their three-game, weekend series with a nine-inning tilt on Saturday, March 17 that is slated to begin at 2:00 pm.