HARRISONBURG, VA – The Rider University scored four runs in the opening frame, but it was not enough as the Broncs fell on the road to James Madison, 8-7, on Friday afternoon in non-conference action at Eagle Field.
 
Rider (5-3) lost for the first time this season when recording 10 or more hits, while the Dukes (6-3) won their sixth game in a row.
 
The Broncs came charging out of the gates four runs on three hits in the opening frame. Freshman Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) had a two-run double in the stanza and Jack Peterson (Pittstown, NJ/North Hunterdon) also added an RBI double in the first. Both run-scoring hits in the first for the Broncs came with two outs.
 
In the top of the seventh, Rider stretched its lead back to four at 7-3 after Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) came around to score on JMU error.
 
James Madison tied the game at seven with a four-run outburst in the bottom of the seventh and the Dukes plated the eventual game-winning run in the home half of the eighth.
 
QUOTES
"This is one we let get away. We needed seven outs with a four-run lead and couldn't close it. You have to give James Madison credit they kept swinging and putting pressure on us." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis
 
"Pete was solid today. He deserved the win. It was just one of those games. We can't make excuses. We will be ready tomorrow." – Davis
 
BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Pete Soporowski tossed six and third innings and surrendered four earned runs. He scattered eight hits and struck out one batter without issuing a walk.
- Vincent Vitacco was saddled with the loss. Out of the bullpen, he worked one a third innings and allowed one earned run. He struck out two batters.
- Kyle Johnson went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot. It was his first multi-hit game of the season.
- Luke Lesch was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, two doubles and two runs scored. It was his second straight two-hit game.
- Joe Simone also had two hits for the Broncs.
 
UP NEXT
Rider and James Madison continue their three-game set on Saturday, February 29. Frank Doelling is slated to get the start on the bump for the Broncs.