NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Rider University Baseball team score four runs in the top of the first and never looked back, defeating Iona 15-3 Saturday morning. The Broncs improve to 11-10 overall and 2-0 in MAAC play, while the Gaels fall to 0-18 overall and 0-2 against league competition.
 
The Broncs got started early. Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) drew a one-out walk in the first. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) followed with an RBI-double that gave Rider the early advantage. After walks by Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgewood, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) and Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) loaded the bases, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) drove home a pair with a double. A Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) sacrifice fly had Rider up 4-0 before Iona touched a bat.
 
The Gaels responded with a pair in the second.
 
Volpe led off the third with a single. After a Gael error put runners on the corners, Bardatsos stole second with two outs. Alex Diamantis (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's Boys) came through with the base hit that scored a pair and put Rider up 6-2.
 
In the fourth, Winsett reached second on an error and scored when Volpe drove him home with his third hit of the game.
 
Lesch led off the fifth with a walk. He came around to score on back-to-back singles by Diamantis and Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]), extending the lead to 8-2.
 
Volpe led off the sixth with a walk. After stealing both second and third, Volpe scored when Lesch reached on an error.
 
The Gaels got a run back in the sixth, recording three straight hits to plate the runner, trimming the lead to 9-3.
 
In the seventh, the Broncs took advantage of seven walks and an Iona error to score six runs without the benefit of a hit.
 
Both pitchers settled in over the final two frames, not allowing a run for the remainder of the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We did a great job putting pressure on their defense early."
 
"Frank wasn't as sharp as we'd hoped, but he battled. Kyle Smith did a great job in relief."
 
"We need to play better tomorrow." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Frank Doelling (Riverside, NJ/Riverside[Rowan College at Burlington County]) tossed five innings to earn the victory. The senior allowed two runs on eight hits, while striking out four.
- Kyle Smith (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) earned the save after throwing the final four innings, allowing one run on four hits. Smith struck out six.
- The 12-run victory is the largest margin of victory for the team this season.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Five Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by three from Volpe.
- Lesch extended his hitting streak to nine-straight games.
- In addition to Volpe's pair of stolen bases, Bardatsos and Skettini each stole a base.
- All nine spots in the order reached base at least once, with eight of the nine spots reaching at least twice.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs conclude the three game set against Iona on Sunday at noon.