LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University baseball team continued its strong start to MAAC play, topping Niagara, 5-1, Friday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 17-8 on the season, while the Purple Eagles fall to 11-8. Both teams now stand at 3-1 in league play.
 
The game was scoreless into the top of the sixth, when the Purple Eagles scratched across an unearned run to take a 1-0 lead.
 
Rider immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning. Will Gallagher (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) led off the inning with a double to left. John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) followed with a single to left that was overrun by the Purple Eagle outfielder, allowing Gallagher to come in and score. Two batters later, with Volpe on third, Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) hit a run-scoring single, putting Rider in front 2-1. The inning continued with a double by Luke Lesch (Gloucester Twp., NJ/Gloucester Catholic), putting runners on second and third. Two batters later, Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) drove in two with a single to right, extending the lead to 4-1.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Skettini hit a towering shot into the trees beyond the scoreboard in left, producing the final result.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We played good defense, outside of the one error. We didn't walk many guys, and took advantage of some of their mistakes."
 
"Dylan's feeling good about himself. He's throwing strikes and pounding the zone, and as of right now, he's kept us out of using up a bunch of other guys."
 
"Skettini, good or bad, he doesn't try to do too much. He doing the things that you need to do." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
"My changeup was really working today. Every outing I feel like I'm getting better and going longer. I feel more confident and ready to go." – Senior pitcher Dylan Heine
 
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) got the start, going seven innings, allowing just one unearned run on four hits. He struck out seven to earn the win.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) tossed the final two scoreless innings, allowing no hits. He struck out one and earned his MAAC-leading sixth save of the season.
- Skettini has reached safely in all 25 games this season.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Seven different Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by a pair from Skettini.
- Skettini also led the Broncs, scoring twice in the game.
- Skettini's home run is his first of the season, and sixth of his career.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, when the Broncs and Purple Eagles continue the series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.