NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Rider University baseball team led through six innings Tuesday afternoon, but ultimately fell 4-2 at Rutgers. The loss sends the Broncs to 13-7 on the season, while the Scarlet Knights improve to 11-8.
 
Rutgers opened the scoring in the third. With one out, the Scarlet Knights loaded the bases with two singles and a walk. The Broncs thought they were out of the inning with a chopper to short, but the Rutgers batter beat the relay throw to first, giving the Scarlet Knights a 1-0 lead.
 
In the fifth, Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) turned on a 1-1 pitch crushing it over the fence in left to tie the score.
 
In the sixth, Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) led off the inning with a line drive to center field. The Rutgers center fielder made a diving attempt, but it fell just out of reach, and skipped all the way to the wall, allowing Shaw to cruise into third with a triple. Two batters later, Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) hit a ball back up the middle with the infield drawn in to score Shaw.
 
Rutgers would tie the game once again in the seventh with a two-out solo shot to left center. The Scarlet Knights loaded the bases in the eighth with one out, scoring on a walk and ground out to go up 4-2.
 
Quotes & Notes
"PJ was really good out of the gate and had all three pitches working. He got us through four innings and pitched out of that jam, which was big."
 
"We got a couple of hits , but we never had bases loaded or two guys on. We scratched those runs across, but you have no margin for error. They're good, they're talented, and it's hard to finish them off with a one-run lead." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- PJ Craig (Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat) got the start for the Broncs, going four innings and allowing one run on three hits. He struck out three.
- Chris Montone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was the first out of the pen, going 1.2 innings, allowing no runs on two hits. He struck out one.
- Clayton Poliey (Ringwood, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) pitched 1.1 innings, giving up one run on one hit. He struck out two.
- Alec Sachais (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Holy Spirit) allowed two runs in 0.1 innings, taking the loss.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) tossed 0.2 innings, allowing no runs on no hits.
- Skettini has reached safely in all 20 games this season.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Four different Broncs recorded hits on the day, led by two from Shaw.
- Erbe's home run is his first of the season.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, when the Broncs begin conference play at Sonny Pittaro Field against Quinnipiac. First pitch is at 3 p.m.