LEXINGTON, SC – The Rider University baseball team opened the 2019 season with a 9-4 victory over Butler in a neutral-site clash on Friday afternoon.

Senior Riley Mihalik (Churchville, PA/Chestnut Hill Academy) led the charge for the Broncs at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam. He also scored two runs to go along with his four RBIs. In his Rider debut, junior Jack Peterson (Pittstown, NJ/North Hunterdon) chipped in three RBIs.

On the mound, freshman reliever Kyle Smith (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) picked up his first collegiate win thanks to working two and two-thirds inning out of the bullpen. Pete Soporowski (South Amboy, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) got the start for the Broncs and worked the first four innings. Soporowski struck out five Bulldogs and scattered four hits.

Rider erased an early 1-0 deficit with a four-run outburst in the top of the third courtesy of Mihalik's two-out homer. The Bronc lead would swell to 7-1 in the fifth as Peterson delivered a bases-clearing, three-RBI two-out double.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Overall we played well. We showed some poise at a few critical times late in the game. It was a good first day. We got big two-out hits with the bases loaded from both Mihalik and Peterson. On the mound, Pete was solid in his first start of the year and Kyle Smith picked up the win in relief. Gakeler was able to close it out and get the final seven outs." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- At the top of the order, Joe Simone went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two walks.
- Zach Gakeler worked the final two and a third innings. He did not surrender a hit and he fanned four hitters in his scoreless outing.
- In his Rider debut, Mike Ionta went 0-for-2 with one RBI and three walks.
- Richie Tecco had a hit and two runs scored for the Broncs.

UP NEXT
Rider and Butler will close out the weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday that is slated to begin at 2:00 pm.