Dover, Del. (Mar. 30, 2016) --- Delaware State held an early 4-0 lead, but faltered in the middle innings of an 11-7 loss to Rider in a non-conference game at Soldier Field today.

The Broncs took control of the game by scoring five runs in the sixth to snap a 6-6 tie.

Tyler Kaiser and Christian Estevez drove in three runs each to lead Rider's 11-hit attack. Freshman catcher Adrian Hill and Jake Bartlett led the Hornets with two RBI.

The Hornets used small ball to open the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Todd Henry was walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a wild pick-off attempt. Henry move to third on a grounder by Kwestin Smith and scored the first run of the game on a grounder by Darnel Maisonet.

DSU scored three runs on just one hit in the second to open up a four-run lead.

Cameron Onderko drew a walk to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Devin Beverly. The next batter, Jaylen Zielecki, struck out but reached base on third strike wild pitch. After Chris Panzarella walked to load the bases, Hill singled through the left side to score Onderko and Zielecki, giving the Hornets a 3-0 lead. DSU went up 4-0 when Panzarella later scored on a wild pitch.

Rider answered with three runs in the top of the third to pull to within a run. The big blow in the inning was a two-run double by Mike Volaski to cut the Hornets' lead to 4-3.

The Broncs took their first lead of the game with two runs in the fourth. Jake Bender doubled in the first run of the inning and the go-ahead run scored on a DSU error with two outs.

The Hornets tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out double by Bartlett. Henry scored on the play to tie the game at 5-5, but Hill was cut down at the plate while trying to score from first to end the inning.

The score was 6-6 after each team scored a run on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.

In Rider's five-run sixth, Kaiser's two-run double gave the Broncs an 8-6 lead. The bases were loaded with two outs when Estevez looped a fly to left that dropped in for a double, chasing home three more runs to put the visitors ahead 11-6.

Bartlett singled in his second run of the game in the DSU sixth.

Rider reliever Mike Diorio (1-0) was the winning pitcher, while Garrett Coverdale (0-1) took the loss for the Hornets.

The Broncs improved to 5-17 on the season, while DSU fell to 4-20.

Delaware State returns to MEAC North action with a home series against UMES this weekend. The Hornets and Hawks are scheduled to play a double-header on Sat. (Apr. 2) starting at noon, and wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday at noon.

The Hornets lead the MEAC North with a 4-1 record.