JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Rider University baseball team gave up six runs in the first inning Friday, and never recovered falling 9-5 to Saint Peter's. The Broncs even their season record at 24-24 and fall to 11-10 in the MAAC. The Peacocks improve to 9-40 overall and 6-16 in league play.
 
Rider got off to a strong start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first. Jack Winsett (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) hit a one-out double, one of three two-baggers by the Broncs third baseman in the game. Socrates Bardatsos (Ridgefield, NJ/St. Joseph's Regional) followed with a single that scored the run.
 
The Peacocks answered in a big way in the bottom of the first. After tying the game on a bases-loaded walk, Rider starter Frank Doelling (Riverside, NJ/Riverside[Rowan College at Burlington County]) left with an apparent left arm injury. The Peacocks would take advantage of the Rider bullpen, scoring a total of six runs in the inning.
 
In the third, Winsett led off the inning with a double. Two batters later, Luke Lesch (Gloucester Township, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) hit a home run to cut the deficit to 6-3.
 
Rider continued to claw back in the fourth. Jordan Erbe (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South[UMass]) hit a one-out single. Two-batters later, Winsett doubled home Erbe, then came around to score on a Bardatsos single that made it a 6-5 game, but the Broncs would get no closer.
 
Saint Peter's scored two in the fourth and one in the seventh to extend the lead to 9-5.
 
The Broncs had their best chance for the comeback in the ninth. With one out, Lesch drew a walk. Jake Barbiere (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) followed with a single. After a fielder's choice, Brendan O'Donnell (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) hit an infield single to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. Pinch-hitter Ty Gilligan lifted a pitch deep to center field, but the Peacock center fielder made the catch at the base of the warning track to close out the game.
 
Quotes & Notes
- Doelling got the start for the Broncs. He was charged with four runs in his two thirds of an inning, taking the loss.
- Dylan Heine (Haddonfield, NJ/Haddonfield) followed with 2.1 innings out of the pen. He gave up four runs on four hits. He struck out three.
- Frank DelGuercio (Millstone, NJ/The Hun School of Princeton recorded one out without allowing a run.
- Alec Sachais (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Holy Spirit) made sure the remaining arms in the bullpen would be good for the regular-season finale tomorrow, eating 4.2 innings and allowing just a single run. He gave up just two hits and struck out six.
 
Broncs by the Numbers
- Seven Broncs recorded hits in the game, led by three each from Winsett and Lesch.
- Bardatsos has a hit in eight-straight games.
- Lesch's home run is his tenth of the season.
- Rider left 12 men on base.
 
Up Next
- The Broncs and Peacocks play the regular-season finale on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.