LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Behind a strong pitching performance from four arms, the Rider University baseball team topped Penn, 4-1, Wednesday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 28-14 with the win, while the Quakers fall to 23-13.
 
The Quakers got on the board first, scoring in the opening frame with back-to-back doubles.
 
The score remained 1-0 into the sixth, when Richie Sica (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) drew a leadoff walk. After advancing 90 feet on a ground out, then stealing third, Sica came in to score later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood), tying the score while the Broncs still had yet to record a hit in the game.
 
Rider would finally break into the hit column in the seventh with a pair of singles, but could not break the tie game.
 
Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) was hit by a pitch to begin the bottom of the eighth. A failed pickoff attempt that sent the ball sailing down the right field line allowed Shaw to advance to third. After Skettini drew a walk to put runners on the corners with no outs, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Twp., NJ/Gloucester Catholic) drove a ball to left center for a double that scored a run. Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. With one out, Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern) hit a chopper up the middle and the Quakers only play was to take an out at second as a run came in to score. A wild pitch to the next batter scored Lesch and put Rider in front 4-1.
 
Quotes & Notes
"Chris battled, he gave us three and two thirds, one run. Will came in, got us out of the inning, and threw strikes like he normally does. Luke came through with the big hit to give us the lead."
 
"It's learning how to win. When you don't hit all the time, that's important, and we did that today."
 
"Danny's been good and consistent. We have a lot of confidence in him. He's got 11 saves and should be ready to go this weekend." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Chris Montone (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) got the start for Rider, going 3.2 innings and allowing one runs on six hits. He struck out a pair.
- Will Gallagher (Cranford, NJ/Cranford) was the first out of the pen, throwing 3.1 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit. He struck out three.
- Clayton Poliey (Ringwood, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) fired a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one to earn the win.
- Danny Kirwin (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) threw a 1-2-3 ninth to record his MAAC-leading 11^th save of the season. He struck one on the day.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Lesch, Winsett, and Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) recorded hits in the game.
- Sica and John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) each stole a base in the contest.
 
Up Next
The Broncs return to play Friday when the team visits Trenton Thunder ballpark for a conference matchup against Fairfield. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.