NORMAN, OK – The Rider University baseball team went into Oklahoma Friday and took the opening game of the three-game series, 6-3, over the Sooners. The Broncs improve to 4-1 on the season, while the Sooners fall to 2-4.
 
The Sooners opened the scoring in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of a leadoff double to plate the game's first run later in the inning on an RBI ground out.
 
Rider countered in the top of the fourth. After the first two batters were retired, Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) hit a single to right. Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) then singled over the shift and O'Donnell raced to third ahead of a throw to an unoccupied bag and Lesch was able to move into scoring position on the throw. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) then delivered a single that scored both runs. Skettini would come around to score on a later single from Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional).
 
In the fifth, the Sooners got three hits to score a pair of runs, tying the game at 3-3. The Sooners appeared to be in position to take the lead with runners on first and second and one out with a single to right, but O'Donnell fired to the plate and beat the runner easily, before Alec Saichais (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/Holy Spirit) came out of the pen with the bases loaded and got a strikeout to end the inning.
 
In the seventh, Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) chopped a one-out single through the left side. After a foul out, Sica appeared to be picked off first, but a balk was called to move Sica into scoring position and extend the inning. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) made the Sooners pay, hitting a single back up the middle that scored Sica, giving the Broncs back the lead at 4-3.
 
The Broncs added on in the eighth. Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) flared a one-out single to left center. Following an O'Donnell walk, Lesch hit a ball hard back up the middle for a base hit that scored Bardatsos. Skettini was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then O'Donnell came in to score on a fielder's choice, extending the lead to 6-3.
 
The Sooners, threatened with runners on first and second in the eighth, and the bases loaded in the ninth, but the Broncs got out of both jams and secured the victory.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We pitched out of some jams and got some key hits. We didn't play a flawless game by any means, but its a solid win for us against a quality opponent." - Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Friday's game was the first ever between the programs.
- Friday's win is the first for the Broncs over a Power 5 team since a 7-2 victory over Rutgers in 2017.
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) got the start for the Broncs, throwing five innings and allowing three runs on six hits. He struck out a pair.
- Christian Aiello (Hewitt, NJ/West Milford) came out of the pen to start the sixth. He threw 0.2 innings without allowing a run, striking out one.
- Sachais came in with the bases loaded, getting the strikeout before getting the first out of the seventh inning as well to earn the win.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) threw the final 2.2 innings, allowing three hits and striking out six.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Seven Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by two each from Lesch and Skettini.
- Volpe and Bardatsos have both recorded a hit in all five games this season.
- Skettini and Winsett each had multiple RBIs.
 
Up Next
The Broncs remain in Oklahoma for the second of the three-game set against the Sooners on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.