ANNAPOLIS, MD – A pair of big innings pushed the Navy baseball team past Rider University, 10-4, on Friday afternoon in non-conference action at Max Bishop Stadium.

The Broncs (4-8) dropped their fifth straight road game, while the Midshipmen (10-4) won their third home contest in a row.  

After Navy opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, Rider answered with a run in the top of the second courtesy of double from freshman Jake Barbiere and a fielding error.

In the bottom of the second, the Mids took advantage of a pair of Bronc miscues to break the game open with four runs. All four runs were unearned in the frame as Navy took a lead they would not relinquish.

Rider cut the deficit to three at 5-2 in the top of fifth following an RBI double down the right-field line by sophomore outfielder Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills). In the bottom half, Navy once again answered with three more runs thanks to a passed ball and a two-out, two-run single to right.

On the mound, freshman Joe Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) worked five innings and allowed eight runs (only three of which were earned). Papeo was saddled with his second loss of the spring. In relief, Timothy Stephan (Culpeper, VA/Highland School) and Ray Pacella (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) got the final nine outs for the Broncs.  

Four different Rider players registered multi-hit games, highlighted by Simone going 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs.

NOTES & QUOTES
"We played poor defense and couldn't string together any hits. If we make the routine play I think the game is a little different not saying we would win the game, but we just don't give ourselves a chance." - Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

"We had a few missed opportunities with bases-loaded one out and we got nothing. First and second no outs we got nothing. Once we start doing some of these things better the results will improve if they don't the result will not." - Davis

- Rider is 2-6 in true road games this season.
- Rider committed three errors on the day.
- Rider outhit Navy, 11-10.
- The Broncs left 11 runners on base.
- The 11 hits for the Broncs tied a season-high (earlier this year at Lafayette).
- It was Rider's fourth game this year with 10 or more hits.  

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Sophomore Kyle Johnson recorded his third multi-hit game of the year, going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.
- Freshman Jake Barbiere had his second multi-hit game in his last five appearances. He went 2-for-5 with his second career double.
- Senior Jake Bender was the other Bronc with a multi-hit game. He collected his second straight two-hit game. He also had a double and a walk against the Mids.
- On the mound, Papeo worked five innings for the third time in four collegiate starts.
- In his collegiate debut, Pacela tossed a scoreless inning and struck out one hitter.  

UP NEXT
Rider continues its three-game set with Navy on Saturday, March 10 with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm.