CONWAY, SC – The Rider University baseball team was mere feet from victory Saturday night, but ultimately fell, 2-1, to second-seeded Duke. The Broncs fall to 36-20 on the season, while the Blue Devils improve to 37-21.
 
The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the top of the first with a solo home run.
 
The Broncs had traffic on the base paths early, but could not find a way to push across a run until the sixth. Scott Shaw (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) drew a walk to lead off the inning, then advanced to second on a passed ball. Brian Skettini (Midland Park, NJ/Ridgewood) then singled to left center putting runners on the corners with no outs. Luke Lesch (Gloucester Twp., NJ/Gloucester Catholic) hit a fly ball to left field that was well deep enough to allow Shaw to tag up from third and tie the game.
 
The Blue Devils threatened in the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out. The Broncs went to the bullpen. A walk and strikeout later, Rider went to the pen again, bringing in Will Gallagher (Cranford, NJ/Cranford), who got the strikeout to end the inning.
 
Duke would eventually take the lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth.
 
The Broncs had a chance in the bottom of the ninth. Lesch and Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) both walked to put runners on first and second with one away. After a ground out put the winning run in scoring position, Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) stepped up to the plate and laced a ball down the right field line that would have easily scored but runners, but it fell just foul and the Blue Devils were able to secure the final out.
 
Quotes & Notes
"It's a tough loss to take because we competed all night and Brian did a great job keeping us in the game. We just didn't get the hits when we had opportunities. And then we had two guys on and the ball lands foul, but if it lands fair, we win."
 
"It's difficult to face a guy once and there's another guy throwing with a different arm slot or lefty, righty. Their bullpen really is their strength" – Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
 
"It's a tough loss for us and it's a lot of emotion going into that game. We're going to bounce back tomorrow for sure."
 
"We have a lot of confidence in each other and we just need to trust one another." – Senior First Baseman Luke Lesch
 
"I felt confident [leaving the mound], and Will and Aiello both came in and did their job. I've made a reversal and just completely trust my stuff."
 
"It comes down to trusting my routine. I'm more focused and when the bright lights come on, I'm just ready to get to it." – Sophomore Pitcher Brian Young


- Brian Young (Neptune, NJ/Communication) threw 6.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out five and took a no decision.
- Christian Aiello (Hewitt, NJ/West Milford) fired the next 0.1 innings, striking out one and allowing no runs.
- Gallagher tossed the final 2.1 innings, taking the tough loss after allowing one run on one hit. He struck out two.
- John Volpe (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) extended his reached-base streak to 22-straight games.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Four different Rider players recorded a hit on the day, with Volpe providing the lone extra-base hit of the game.
- The Broncs fall for the first time this season when allowing two or fewer runs. Rider was previously 14-0.
 
Up Next
The Broncs now face a rematch against host Coastal Carolina in an elimination game tomorrow at noon.