RADFORD, VA – The Rider University baseball team won a mid-week game over Radford, 5-3, to close out the spring trip Wednesday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 11-5, while the Highlanders fall to 7-10.
 
The Broncs offense struggled early, not getting a baserunner until the bottom of the third with a two-out walk from Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo). The Highlanders got on the board first a pair of two-out hits in the third, then extended the lead to 3-0 with a pair of solo home runs in the fifth.
 
In the sixth, John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) was hit by a pitch with one out. Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) followed with a walk. After Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) reached on an error, Volpe came in to score on a wild pitch.
 
In the seventh, Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) reached on a two-out error. Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) followed with a walk. Erich Hartmann (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) then entered as a pinch-hitter and got the Broncs' first hit of the game with a two-run double that tied the game.
 
In the eighth, Bardatsos hit a one-out single. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) followed with a single of his own. Two batters later, Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Winsett then delivered with a two-run single, giving the Broncs their first lead of the game at 5-3.
 
Quotes & Notes
"PJ was good, he's getting better with each start. Offensively, we got clutch two-out hits by Hartmann and Winsett, then our bullpen did the job. It was a good win for us." - Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- PJ Craig (Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat) got the start going 4.0 innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out one.
- Chris Montone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was the first out of the pen, tossing 1.0 inning, giving up one runs on one hit.
- Clayton Poliey (Ringwood, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one to earn the win.
- Alec Sachais (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Holy Spirit) threw a scoreless eighth, he did not allow a hit and walked one.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) threw a scoreless ninth, allowing a single hit for his fourth save of the season.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Five separate Broncs recorded hits in the game.
- As a team, the Broncs struck out just once on the day.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return closer to home, but remain on the road with the first of a three-game set on Friday at Villanova. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.