LEXINGTON, SC – The Rider University baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Butler on Saturday afternoon in non-conference, neutral-site action. The Bulldogs took the opener, 14-3, and the Broncs fell in the series finale, 9-2.

In game one, the Broncs opened the scoring in bottom of the first as Mike Ionta (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) delivered an RBI single. Butler would tie the game in the second and break the game open with three runs in both the third and sixth frames. The other run production in the opener for Rider came from senior Riley Mihalik (Churchville, PA/Chestnut Hill Academy) as he smacked a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth. Butler would score seven runs over their final three innings at the dish to earn the victory.

In the series finale, the Broncs once again opened the scoring as Mihalik hit a two-run homer in the top of the first. Butler would respond with nine unanswered runs to pick up the series win in the rubber game.

NOTES & QUOTES
"In the first game we had missed opportunities in the first inning. We loaded the bases with no outs and 1-0 lead and proceeded to strike out three straight times. We gave up three big innings with three or more runs and we did not have one at the plate. We have to pitch better." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

"In the second game we wasted opportunities once again. Butler did not waste any. It was a good overall weekend. We saw some good things and of course there was plenty to improve on. Joe Papeo pitched well for us in the finale. When we left the game it was tied 2-2." – Davis

- On the weekend, Mihalik hit .455 with three home runs and eight RBIs.
- In game one, Brennan McAllister went 3-for-4.
- In game two, Kyle Johnson and Riley Mihalik both had two hits apiece.
- In game two, Joe paper worked four innings and recorded four strikeouts without issuing a walk.
- Rider committed an error in all three games over the weekend.

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action next weekend, February 22-24, with a four-game series at Gardner Webb. The Broncs and GWU will play single games on Friday and Sunday sandwiched around a doubleheader on Saturday.