NORMAN, OK – The Rider University baseball team was defeated, 7-2, by Oklahoma Saturday, evening the three-game series at one game apiece. The Broncs fall to 4-2 on the season, while the Sooners improve to 3-4.
 
The Broncs got out of a jam early, as the Sooners stranded the bases loaded in the first.
 
Rider opened the scoring in the third. Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South [UMass]) led off the inning with a double. After a deep fly ball allowed Erbe to advance to third with one out, where Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) hit a high chopper that bounced over the pitcher's head for an infield single that scored a run.
 
The Sooners fought back with three runs in the third, but the Broncs limited the damage, stranding the bases loaded for a second time in the contest. Oklahoma would break the game open in the sixth, tacking on three more to make it 7-1 after the frame.
 
The Broncs attempted to rally in the ninth. Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) kept the game alive with a two-out single. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) followed with a single of his own. Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) recorded the Broncs' third-straight single, scoring Lesch, but the Sooners would retire the next batter to close out the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We made it tough on ourselves, walking seven batters and hitting two guys. That's nine free bases. We also didn't do a great job stopping the running game, which is a problem, especially when we know that's their game."
 
"We didn't execute some simple things that contributed to the loss today, but we'll come back tomorrow." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Friday's game was the first ever between the programs.
- Frank Doelling (Riverside, NJ/Riverside [Rowan College at Burlington County]) got the start, going 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, taking the loss. He struck out one.
- Clayton Poliey (Ringwood, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) was the first man out of the pen, allowing four runs on five hits in 3.1 innings. He struck out a pair.
- Will Gallagher (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) threw the final two innings in his collegiate pitching debut, facing just six batters without allowing a hit. He struck out one.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Five Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by two from Skettini.
- Oklahoma recorded eight stolen bases in the game.
- Shaw and Winsett each had an RBI.
- Lesch and Erbe scored for the Broncs.
 
Up Next
The Broncs remain in Oklahoma for the rubber match of the three-game set against the Sooners on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.