OXFORD, OH – The Rider University baseball team suffered its first loss of the season, but bounced back to split a double header with Miami University (OH) Saturday. The Broncs are now 4-1 on the season, while the RedHawks are 3-2 on the year. Miami took the opening game 9-0 before Rider won 8-2 in game two.
 
The RedHawks opened the scoring in the third inning of game one, using a leadoff double to scratch across a run. In the fourth, Miami broke the first game open. The RedHawks scored six runs on five hits, taking advantage of three Bronc errors in the frame. Miami would add on two in the sixth to produce the final score.
 
Rider drew first blood in game two. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) opened the game with a single, followed by a walk from Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West). Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) ripped a double that scored Volpe and left runners on second and third with no outs. After Shaw scored on a passed ball, Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) drove in Bardatsos to put the Broncs up 3-0.
 
The Broncs tacked on insurance runs in the fifth. Volpe and Shaw hit back-to-back singles to open the inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Skettini hit an RBI infield single. Jake Barbiere (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) executed a squeeze bunt to plate Shaw, extending the lead to 5-0. Two batters later, Brendan O'Donnell smashed his second homer of the season, a three run shot that pushed the advantage to 8-0.
 
The RedHawks got runs in the sixth and ninth, but never truly threatened Rider in game two.
 
Quotes & Notes
"John Volpe was excellent with four hits out of the leadoff spot. He was very productive starting innings for us. Then O'Donnell's home run gave us needed separation."
 
"Paper was solid on the mound once again. Kirwin pitched well in relief today as well." – Rider Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Frank Doelling (Riverside, NJ/Riverside) started game one, going 3.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits, while striking out five.
- Joe Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) started game two, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing just one run on four hits, striking out six, to earn the win. Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out three.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs scored a total of eight runs on 15 hits.
- Volpe had four hits, including a triple in the second game. Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) had three hits in game two.
- Bardatsos and Shaw each had a pair of hits on the day.
- Eight different players recorded a hit on the day.
- Six separate Broncs scored a run in game two, led by two each from Volpe and Shaw.
- Rider pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts in the two games.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs and RedHawks play the rubber game tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. Kenny Quijano (Teaneck, NJ/St. Mary's) is slated to take the rubber against Zach Maxey.