SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Rider University baseball team spilt a doubleheader with UC Riverside and San Francisco on Friday afternoon on the USF campus at Benedetti Diamond. The Broncs took the opener, 5-1, against the Highlanders before falling to the host Dons, 5-0, in the nightcap.

Following the loss in game two, the Broncs moved to 4-7 on the season.

In game one, junior Pete Soporowski (Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial) tossed a gem for Rider to pick up his first win of the season. Soporowski pitched seven innings and scattered just two hits, while striking out seven and surrendering one earned run.

Rider opened the scoring in game one with a pair of runs in the fifth. Freshman David Bermudez (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) hit an RBI double to right center to put the Broncs on the board and later junior Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) chipped in a run-scoring single to right.

Leading 3-1 in the ninth inning, the Broncs added a pair of insurance courtesy of two-out, two-run single to left by Simone.

Out of the bullpen, senior Zach Gakeler (Jobstown, NJ/North Burlington) worked two scoreless innings to pick up his second save of the year.

In the nightcap, Rider mustered just two hits one of which came in the ninth with the team down 5-0.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Pete was outstanding in game one. We had a few key hits, including Bermudez and Simone. Gakeler was solid for us in closing it out. In game two, we competed. Eiser was very good in his first career start. There pitcher, Ornido, was special. He's one of the best arms we'll see all year." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Rider has had 10 or more hits in two of their last three games.
- Colin Eiser made his first career start in game two. He worked four scoreless innings and scattered just two hits, while striking out one and issuing one walk.
- Amdrew Imperatore was saddled with the loss out of the pen in game two. He gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning. Only two of the runs were earned.
- Rider did not commit an error in game one.
- Both Nick Payesko and Liam Harding worked one scoreless inning in relief in game two.
- Kyle Johnson and Sebastian Williamson had the Rider hits in game two.
- Joe Simone and Williamson each had two apiece in game one.

UP NEXT
Rider takes on San Francisco tomorrow at 5:00 pm at Benedetti Diamond. Sophomore Vincent Vitacco will get the start on the bump for the Broncs.