CNBNews

For Rider (0-2) junior Tyler Kaiser (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown), junior Dalton Mayberry (Chadds Ford, PA/Garnett Valley) and sophomore Brian Uliana (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) each had two hits. “The three of them put pretty good bats together for two days in a row now,” Davis said.

Kaiser had two doubles and an RBI and now has four hits on the season.

Uliana had a double and an RBI.

Rider scored two runs in the second inning on an RBI double by Kaiser and an RBI single by Uliana to cut the Asheville lead to 6-2. “We did scratch back,” Davis said, “but then we give up seven.”

Rider freshman Pat Meenan (Oreland, PA/La Salle) hit an RBI double in his first collegiate at bat. “He showed me today he wants to be on the field,” Davis said.

Junior Mike Volaski (Oxnard, CA/Oxnard) hit an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Jake Bender (Ellicot, Md./Marriotts Ridge), sophomore Christian Estevez (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) and senior James Locklear (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) also had hits for Rider.

“Offensively we had 11 hits, had six walks and stole a couple of bases,” Davis said, “so there have been some positives in that area. Defense has been okay but we just are not yet making big plays in the field and there have not been many positives from a pitching standpoint.”

UNC Asheville (2-3) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run home run, and scored three more in the second for a 6-0 lead. “We were out of the game early today,” Davis said. The Bulldogs scored seven runs in the third inning to take a 13-2 lead. “And by the third inning it was a non-competitive game.”

It marked the second time in as many games where the Broncs fell behind early. “We need to get more from our starting pitchers,” Davis said.  “Last season we pitched in similar situations and we were better.”

Rider plays USC Upstate Sunday at 1pm. “We hope to get off to a better start tomorrow,” Davis said.