SHELBY, NC – The Rider University baseball team opened its season on the road Friday, falling 4-1 to Gardner-Webb in the season opener for both teams.
 
The Broncs opened the scoring in the fourth. Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, with Bardatsos on second and two outs, Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) delivered a single to center that scored the run and put the Broncs on top.
 
The Bulldogs responded in the bottom half of the inning, leveling the score with a two-out double that drove in a run.
 
Gardner-Webb threatened again in the sixth. After a leadoff walk followed by a fielder's choice, the Broncs turned to the bullpen. Following a strikeout, back-to-back walks loaded the bases before a harmless fly ball to right closed out the inning.
 
In the seventh, the Bulldogs broke the game open. A one-hit batter, followed by a walk put a pair of runners on. The Broncs got a strikeout and appeared to get out of the inning with a ground ball to third, but a throwing error allowed a run to score and extended the inning, which continued with a two-run single to make it 4-1.
 
Rider got its best chance in the top of the eighth. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) opened the inning with a single through the right side. Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) was then hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, but a strike out ended the inning, and the Broncs were shut down in the ninth.
 
Quotes & Notes
"It was a solid ballgame. We had opportunities to score, but in the end one inning was the difference. We pitched well enough to win today." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) got the start and earned a no-decision, throwing 5.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out two.
- Alec Sachais (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Holy Spirit) took the loss, tossing an inning and allowing a single unearned run, he gave up no hits and struck out two.
- Freshman Christian Aiello (Hewitt, NJ/West Milford) made his collegiate debut out of the pen, throwing 1.2 innings and allowing two unearned runs on just one hit. He struck out three.
- AJ Labrusciano (Fredericksburg, VA/North Stafford) made his collegiate debut, getting the start at second base.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Five Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by two from Volpe.
 
Up Next
The Broncs and Bulldogs continue with the four-game set on Saturday. First pitch for the double-header is set for 12 p.m.