JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Rider University baseball team got an offensive explosion Friday afternoon, topping Saint Peter's 22-10. The Broncs improve to 26-12 on the season, and 10-3 in league play, while the Peacocks fall to 4-31 on the season and 2-11 in MAAC games.
 
Scoring happened early and often. In the first, Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) reached on an error with two outs. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) then singled, and Luke Lesch (Gloucester Twp., NJ/Gloucester Catholic) singled to drive in a run. Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) and Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) drew back-to-back walks to load the bases then drive in a run. Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) then singled through the right side to put Rider up 4-0 before Saint Peter's came to the plate.
 
After the Peacocks answered with two in the bottom of the first, John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) led off the second with a walk. He stole second, then came in to score on a double by Bardatsos. Following Skettini being hit by a pitch and Lesch drawing a walk to load the bases, O'Donnell, sent a pitch soaring over the left field fence for a grand slam. With two outs in the inning, Winsett and Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) hit back-to-back doubles, extending the lead to 10-2. In Volpe's second plate of the inning, he hit a pitch over the fence in left for a two-run home run. Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) continued the inning with a single. Bardatsos then walked. Skettini hit a two-run double to put Rider on to 14-2.
 
In the bottom of the second, the Peacocks answered with five runs to close the gap to 14-7.
 
The Broncs continued to score in the third. Erbe was hit by a pitch with one out then advanced to second on a balk. Winsett delivered an RBI single to make it 15-7. Two batters later, Volpe was hit by a pitch then Shaw doubled to score both runners. Shaw scored when Bardatsos reached on an error, putting Rider on top 18-7.
 
Saint Peter's scored twice in the third, closing the gap to 18-9.
 
In the fourth, Lesch led off with a single. O'Donnell then walked and Erbe singled to load the bases. Three batters later, Volpe walked to force in a run and Shaw singled to extend the lead to 21-9.
 
Skettini led off the fifth with a double. Lesch then singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. Skettini scored on a fielder's choice to put Rider ahead 22-9.
 
A solo home run by Saint Peter's in the eighth produced the final score.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) got the start, going 1.2 innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits. He struck out one and got a no decision.
- Gavin Hawkes (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury) tossed 1.1 innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He struck out one and earned the victory.
- Gavin Alloway (National Park, NJ/Gateway Regional) pitched four scoreless innings, scattering three hits and striking out two.
- Aaron Winzinger (East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) threw the final two innings. He allowed one run on one hit and struck out two.
- The 22 runs scored by the Broncs are the most scored by the team in a game since the Broncs scored 28 against the Peacocks in 2017.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- All nine Rider starters recorded a hit in the game, led by four from Shaw.
- All nine Bronc starters recorded RBIs with O'Donnell's five leading the way.
- O'Donnell's home run is his 12^th of the season, and 32^nd of his career, moving him in to a tie for third with Ed Horowitz on Rider's career home run list. He is just one shy of the program record currently held by Jason Koehler and Ed Whited.
- Volpe's home run is his second of the season and second in as many games.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, when the Broncs and Peacocks continue the series at 1 p.m.