LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University baseball team dropped the final game of the series to Manhattan Sunday, falling 7-5 at Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs fall to 20-17 on the season, and 8-4 in MAAC play. Manhattan improves to 17-19 overall, and 7-8 against league competition.
The Jaspers jumped out to the early advantage, plating a pair in the top of the second, stringing together a trio of hits.
In the bottom half, the Broncs responded.
Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) led off the inning with a single.
Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) followed with a base hit of his own.
Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) missed increasing his home run total by just feet, hitting a run-scoring double off the fence in straight-away center. After
Alex Diamantis (Staten Island, NY/St. Peter's Boys) drew a walk to load the bases,
Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) drove in a pair with a single to left. With two outs,
Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) hit a tailing fly ball that the Jasper center fielder lost in the sun, eventually falling in for a two-run double that put Rider up 5-2.
The Jaspers refused to go away, scoring two in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth to take the lead.
Bardatsos drew a leadoff walk in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but a pair of fly outs and a strike out ended the game.
Quotes & Notes
"Obviously unhappy with the result today, but good to win two out of three."
"We didn't hit with runners in scoring position. We left ten guys on base and just didn't do enough."
– Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
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Vincent Vitacco (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) got the start, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. He struck out three.
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Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) came on in relief, also tossing 3.1 innings. He allowed just two unearned runs on two hits, taking the loss. He struck out a pair.
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Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) threw the final 2.1 innings without allowing a run. He allowed a pair of hits and struck out three.
Broncs by the Numbers
- Eight Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by three from
Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional).
- Winsett has now hit safely in 12-straight games.
Up Next
- The Broncs begin their final non-conference midweek games of the season, starting with a game at Seton Hall on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
