MORAGA, CA – The Rider University baseball team fell on the road to Saint Mary's College of California, 5-2, on Wednesday at Louis Guisto Field.

The Broncs (5-9) surrendered two different one-run leads in the setback to the Gaels (10-6).

Rider opened the scoring in the top of the second courtesy of an RBI double from freshman infielder David Bermudez (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick).

After SMC tied the game at one in the bottom of the second, the Broncs answered with a run in the top of third to take a 2-1 edge. In the third, junior Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) hit a solo homer to right.  

Saint Mary's would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth and take the lead at 3-2 in the sixth. The Gaels capped the scoring in the game with two insurance runs in the seventh.

In relief, freshman Andrew Imperatore (New Hyde Park, NY/Herricks) was saddled with the loss. Imperatore worked one-third of an inning and walked two batters, while surrendering one earned run.

NOTES & QUOTES
"There was just too many negatives to  overcome today. We had opportunities offensively and did not advantage. We batted all day. I'm not satisfied with the result. It was a winnable game." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Freshman Colin Eiser got the start for Rider and tossed two innings. He walked four batters and struck out one Gael, while surrendering just one hit and one unearned run.
- Freshman Danny Kirwin worked two innings of scoreless relief. He scattered one hit and struck out one hitter.
- Both Sebastian Williamson and Zach Gakeler worked scoreless innings out of the pen. Both pitched allowed one hit and Gakeler fanned a pair of Gaels.
- Bermudez, Simone and senior Richie Tecco accounted for all six of the Bronc hits.
- Bermudez went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.
- Simone hit his first homer of the season and the second of his career.
- Tecco also had two hits. It was his third multi-hit game of the year.
- Rider has been outscored, 21-1, in the seventh inning this season.

UP NEXT
Rider close out its West Coast swing with a weekend series against Sacramento State on March 15-17. Action gets underway on Friday evening with junior Pete Soporowski getting the start for the Broncs on the mound.