OXFORD, OH – The Rider University baseball team dropped a road non-conference contest against Miami (Ohio), 5-1, on Friday evening at McKie Field.

The Broncs (4-5) lost their second straight road game, while the RedHawks (6-3) won their fourth tilt in a row.  

Miami scored one run in both the first and second innings to take the momentum early and never looked back. RedHawk starter Spencer Mraz tossed kept the Broncs off balance at the plate, tossing six scoreless innings and scattering just three hits.

The RedHawks stretched their lead to 3-0 in the sixth with a runner racing home on a wild pitch.

After the hosts added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the seventh, Rider broke through in the eighth. The Broncs got on the board courtesy of a two-out RBI single to center from senior Harrison McClure (Atlanta, GA/North Atlanta) that plated classmate Jake Bender (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge).

Rider would not threaten again as Miami escaped with the victory.

On the mound, Bronc freshman hurler Joe Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Birdge) was saddled with the loss. Papeo worked five and two-thirds innings and allowed three earned runs, while striking out five. He also scattered six hits and walked one batter.  

NOTES & QUOTES
"We didn't do the little things it takes to win. We hit poorly in key situations. We need to score and advance guys when we have runners in scoring position with less than two outs. We allowed a run on a passed ball/wild pitch. Sometimes you need to make a play defensively and we didn't. Joe was excellent for us on the mound today. " – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Rider is 2-3 in true road games this season.
- Rider committed a pair of errors.
- The Broncs had six hits and six runners left on base.

BRONCS BY THE NUMERS
- Harrison McClure went 2-for-4 with an RBI and his team-leading sixth double. McClure also leads the Broncs with 13 hits this season.
- Papeo's start was the longest of his young career. He has tossed five or more innings in two of his three outings this season. He also tied a career-best with five strikeouts.
- Riley Mihalik and Dallas Clark both hit doubles for the Broncs. Three of Rider's six hits went for extra bases.
- Anthony Arneth threw the final two and a third innings for the Broncs. He struck out a pair and allowed two earned runs.
- Mihalik and Clark both reached base twice. Mihalik drew a walk and Clark was hit by a pitch.

UP NEXT
Rider continues its three-game series with Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, March 3 with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 pm.