DURHAM, NC – The Rider University baseball team held the lead through six and a half innings Wednesday evening, before eventually falling, 4-3 to Duke at Jack Coombs Field. The Broncs fall to 31-16 on the season with the loss. The Blue Devils, who entered the game ranked sixth by Collegiate Baseball and tenth by D1Baseball, earn the series split to improve to 33-14.
 
The Blue Devils got on the board for the second-straight game in the bottom of the first, scoring an unearned run on a one-out ground out. Duke scored a second unearned run in the fourth, to extend the advantage to 2-0.
 
Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South [UMass]) opened the sixth with a single. Two batters later, John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) roped a double down the left field line and Erbe hustled around from first to get the Broncs on the board.
 
Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) led off the seventh with a single back up the middle. Three batters later, Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) hit a bomb over the fence in right to put the Broncs in front, 3-2.
 
The lead would be short-lived however, as the Blue Devils opened their half of the seventh with three-straight hits to score a pair and reclaim the lead at 4-3.
 
The Broncs would get a runner on in the eighth with two outs, but would never get the tying run into scoring position.
 
Quotes & Notes
"We just made a few mistakes that cost us today. Overall, I am very pleased with our effort the past two days." – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
- Frank Doelling (Riverside, NJ/Riverside[Rowan College at Burlington County]) got the start, going three innings and allowing just a single unearned run on two hits. He struck out one and walked none.
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) tossed the next three innings, also allowing just a single unearned run on two hits. He struck out three.
- Brian Young (Neptune, NJ/Communication) threw the final two innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out a pair and walked none.
- Winsett extended his reached base streak to 16 games.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Five Broncs had hits in the contest, led by two hits each from Volpe and Skettini.
- Winsett led Rider with two RBIs.
- Winsett's home run is his first of the season, and third of his career.
- Duke pitchers combined for 13 strike outs in the contest.
 
Up Next
The Broncs are off for the weekend before returning to MAAC play next Thursday for the final conference series at Manhattan. First pitch for the opening game of the series is set for 3:30 p.m.