NEWARK, DE -- Junior tri-captain Alex Buchholz was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and Ryan Reed (at right) hit his first career home run, but the University of Delaware baseball team could not capitalize as the Blue Hens dropped a 6-2 decision to Rider at a windy Bob Hannah Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Buchholz and Tsakonas, the Hens’ top-two hitters, went a combined 6-for-9 on the afternoon, but the rest of the lineup went 3-for-25 as the team lost its fifth straight game.

With the loss, Delaware falls to 3-6, while Rider improves to 5-2.

Despite the windy conditions, the Blue Hen pitching staff performed admirably throughout the nine-inning affair. Starter Jared Olson, who was making his first appearance on the mound for Delaware, scattered four hits and notched three strikeouts over his three innings of work. Dan Richardson, Corey Crispell, and Steve Spiese combined to work six innings out of the bullpen, surrendering three earned runs while striking out six.

After the Broncs opened the game with a run in the first, Delaware looked poised to answer in the bottom of the second after walks to Pat Dameron and Josh Dean and a single by Ryan Cuneo loaded the bases with one out. Bronc starter Ryan Miller worked out of the jam, though, inducing a ground ball double play that shortstop John Ralston started despite having to range deep into the hole and complete from the ground.

Following its first scare of the game, Rider added its second run in the top of the third on a home run to centerfield by Sean Olson.

Although Delaware notched back-to-back doubles in the third by Tsakonas and Buchholz, the Hens could not chase across a run as Tsakonas had to hold up on second as Rider’s centerfielder nearly made a play on the ball. The next inning, Delaware finally got on the board after catcher Ryan Reed hit his first career home run to deep right center.

Following another Rider run in the top of the fifth that put the Broncs up 4-1, the Hens once again looked to have a rally going as Kyle Davis led off the inning with a double down the right field line. Tsakonas followed with an infield single, but Davis was caught wandering too far off of second and eventually was thrown out in a run down. A single by Buchholz put Delaware runners at first and second with one out, but the next two Hens went down in order due in large part to a great diving catch on a foul ball by catcher Sean Olson to end the inning.

Two innings later, three straight singles by Mo Williams, Matt McCollum, and Nick Wojnowski off of reliever Corey Crispell loaded the bases before the freshman uncorked a wild pitch that plated Rider’s fifth run of the game.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Hens scored their final run of the game after Buchholz led off with double, advanced to third on a grounder by Olson, and scored on an RBI ground out by Dameron. Half an inning later, Rider closed out the scoring after a double by John Ralston brought home McCollum, who had singled earlier in the frame.

Mike Thomas (1-1) picked up the win, while Delaware’s Olson (0-1) took the loss.

The Blue Hens will return to the diamond on Friday at 7 p.m. for the start of conference play when they take on Old Dominion for a three-game weekend series in Norfolk, VA.

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