NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Rider University baseball team got a strong pitching effort, and pounded out a pair of home runs in a 7-1 victory over Niagara Thursday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 18-14 on the season, and 6-1 in MAAC games. The Purple Eagles fall to 3-25 overall, and 0-7 against league competition.
 
In the third, Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) hit a two-out single to center. After moving up to third on a pair of wild pitches, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) drove in the game's opening run. The next batter, Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) continued the big inning with a no-doubt home run to left, extending the lead to 3-0.
 
With the score still 3-0, Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) hit a one-out single in the seventh. John Volpe followed with a single to right center. After both runners moved up 90 feet on a passed ball, Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) drove in the pair with a chopper through the right side. Then it was the long ball that came through for the Broncs as it has all season. Jake Barbiere (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) drove the pitch over the left field fence to put Rider up 7-0.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Niagara got a run back with a solo shot to left.
 
Quotes & Notes
"A big win for us today. Papeo and Kirwin did an excellent job"
 
"We had multiple guys step up with big hits, notably Luke, Brendan, Socrates, and Barb."
 
"As a team, we played solid defensively."
– Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Joe Papeo (Matawan, NJ/Old Bridge) fired six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, to earn the victory. He struck out three, including a pair that went down looking.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) followed with the final three innings of relief, allowing two hits including the solo home run, the only run allowed by Kirwin in the game. He struck out five to earn the save.
- Rider improves to 15-0 when scoring six or more runs this season.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Eight Broncs had hits in the game, led by a trio from Alex Diamantis (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's Boys).
- The first seven players in the lineup each scored once for Rider.
- Winsett has now hit safely in seven-straight games.
- O'Donnell is second in the MAAC with his nine home runs this season.
- Barbiere's home run is his third of the season.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs continue the three-game set Friday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.