OXFORD, OH – Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) hit a grand slam in the top of the tenth inning Sunday afternoon to lift the Rider University baseball team to a victory over Miami University (OH), 9-5. The Broncs improve to 5-1 with the win, while the RedHawks record is evened at 3-3.
 
Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) led off the inning with a walk. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) followed with a single. Shaw continued his hot start to the season, legging out an infield hit to load the bases for Bardatsos. Bardatsos blasted the 2-1 pitch over the fence in right center for a grand slam, proving to be the difference in the contest.
 
In the first, Rider took the lead when Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) delivered a one-out double, followed by single from Bardatsos that advanced Shaw to third. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) followed with an RBI single that plated the Broncs' left fielder.
 
In the second, Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) hit his third homer of the season to extend the Bronc advantage.
 
The RedHawks responded in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs to knot the score, then took the lead with a run in the fourth.
 
In the top of the fifth, Bardatsos drew a one-out walk. Two batter later, Jake Barbiere (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) hit a single that chased the RedHawks starting pitcher from the game. Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) welcomed the reliever with an eight-pitch at bat that ended with a game-tying RBI single.
 
Once again Miami would respond, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim the lead.
 
In the sixth, Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) started the inning with a walk. Then head coach Dr. Barry Davis called on Alex Diamantis (Staten Island, NY/Saint Peter's Boys) to pinch run. After Diamantis stole second, he came around to score on a two-out single by Shaw. Shaw then scored himself on a double by Bardatsos.
 
The RedHawks tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on a solo homer.
 
Neither side scored again through the ninth, setting up the extra inning heroics.
 
Quotes & Notes
"A very exciting game today. Wins are always fun and this one was no exception. We continued to show resilience throughout remained focused on doing the things necessary to win."

"Our power has been a small surprise, but we are capable of driving the ball consistently. It can change how you coach the game."

"We like our start, but we have plenty to work on. Plenty." - Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Alec Sachais (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Holy Spirit) made his second career start, throwing three innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out three.
- Frank DelGuercio (Millstone, NJ/The Hun School of Princeton) tossed three innings in relief, giving up two runs on four hits with a pair of punch-outs.
- Vincent Vitacco (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) went two innings out of the pen, allowing a single run on two hits with three strikeouts.
- Cal Stalzer (West Des Moines, IA/Valley[George Washington/Kirkwood C.C.]) tossed the final two innings without allowing a hit to earn the victory. He struck out four batters on the day.
- Rider had 16 hits, its most in a game this season, and most since a MAAC Tournament game against Niagara in 2021.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Shaw led the Broncs, tying a career-high with four hits. He has recorded a hit in all six games this season.
- Bardatsos and Volpe each had a three hits on the day.
- Barbiere and O'Donnell each recorded a pair of hits.
- O'Donnell has three home runs this season in six games, the first three of his collegiate career.
- Six separate Broncs scored a run, led by three from Shaw and two by Bardatsos.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs return closer to home when they take on Lafayette on Tuesday. The game will be played at Villanova.