LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University baseball team could not get the offense going Tuesday afternoon, falling to NJIT, 4-3, at Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs fall to 17-14 on the season, while the Highlanders improve to 14-13.
 
In the first, a misjudged pop up landed between three Broncs allowing an early run to score for NJIT. The Highlanders added a run in the second by putting pressure on the Broncs defense, using a stolen base, tag up, and wild pitch to score after a one-out single. NJIT extended the lead to 4-0 in the third without the benefit of a hit.
 
The Broncs countered in the bottom of the third. Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) led off the inning, punching a single out to right field. After Brady Plunkett (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert[Rowan CC at Burlington) drew a walk Sica stole third, Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) singled through the left side to bring a run home. Three batters later with the bases loaded, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) placed a ball high behind third that dropped in and allowed a run to score, but NJIT was able to get a force as the runners were forced to originally hold at their bases and the Highlanders were able to get out of the inning when their second baseman made a leaping grab on a line drive on the next play.
 
In the seventh, Ty Gilligan (Ringwood, NJ/Lakeland Regional) hit a mile-high pop up that got caught in the wind, forcing a two-base error. After Gilligan advanced to third on a wild pitch, he came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Plunkett.
 
In the ninth, Jake Barbiere (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) led off with a walk. After advancing to second with on a wild pitch, and to third on a ground out, the Broncs stranded the tying run 90 feet from home to close out the game.
 
 
Quotes & Notes
"We just made too many mistakes. We weren't sharp. We were in good counts to get hits and didn't get it done."
 
"I'm happy with the way the bullpen performed today, and it sets us up nice for this weekend. Brian is definitely a guy you can go do. As he continues to play and build that confidence, he can be really valuable to us."
 
"It's a chance to get some young guys an opportunity on the field. If you need to turn to them in conference play, you don't want that to be their first experience."
– Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Kenny Quijano (Teaneck, NJ/St. Mary's) threw 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on just four hits, striking out a pair of Highlanders, but suffering the loss.
- Brian Young (Neptune, NJ/Communication) came on for the next 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing just a single hit.
- Kyle Smith (Stratford, NJ/Sterling) allowed just one hit in his two innings.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Four Broncs had hits in the game, led by a perfect 3-for-3 from Winsett.
- Winsett has now hit safely in six-straight games.
- The Broncs allowed just six hits, tied for the fifth-fewest hits allowed in a game this season
 
Up Next
- The Broncs make the long trip to Niagara for a three-game set with the Purple Eagles beginning Thursday.