LEXINGTON, S.C. – The Butler Bulldogs took a 9-4 loss to Rider to open the 2019 season. Butler scored first in the bottom half of the first inning, but a grand slam in the third and a base-clearing double in the fifth would lift the Broncs to victory.
 
Kyle Smith had a memorable moment for the Bulldogs during his first at-bat in a Butler jersey. The Mississippi College transfer tripled with one out and would come around to score the first run of the season off a RBI groundout by Harrison Freed.
 
Butler would get three more runs across the plate in the seventh inning. Smith would generate a run this time around by walking with the bases loaded to score Andy Bennett. The final two runs came off a Duncan Hewitt single.
 
The game took its shape in the third after a grand slam from Riley Mihalik. The second biggest hit of the night was a base-clearing double from Jack Peterson in the fifth.
 
Ryan Pepiot took the loss on the hill while Rider's Kyle Smith walked out with the win. Pepiot tossed 4.2 innings and struck out nine in his season debut. Rider started Pete Soporowski, but he was taken out after just four innings, allowing Smith to go 1-0 on the year.
 
Other 'Dawgs to grace the mound were Kevin Napoleon and Austin Waeghe. Napoleon tossed 3.1 innings of action and struck out four.
 
These two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow for a 2 PM doubleheader due to rain in the forecast for Sunday.