WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY – The Rider University baseball team dropped a heartbreaker to Manhattan, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at Dutchess Stadium in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.

The host Jaspers (20-19, 9-3 MAAC) erased a late deficit to pick up the victory and the series win, while the Broncs (10-23, 5-6 MAAC) dropped the rubber game in the three-game set. Rider has now lost two of their four conference series this spring.

Trailing, 2-1, in the bottom half of the eighth, Manhattan knotted the game on a one-out triple to right off of Rider reliever Jordan Silverman (Holland, PA/Council Rock HS South). The Jaspers pushed across the eventual game-winning run in the frame with two outs on a single to left.

Rider threatened in the ninth as the first two batters of the frame reach on singles. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners with one out, Jasper closer Joe Jacques retired the next two batters he faced as Manhattan escaped with the win.

Rider took its first lead of the game in the sixth as senior Harrison McClure (Atlanta, GA/North Atlanta) smacked a two-run homer to left field on a 3-1 pitch. McClure's team-leading fourth bomb of the year gave the Broncs a 2-1 edge.

On the mound, freshman Vincent Vitacco (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell) delivered his strongest start as a Bronc. He tossed seven and a third innings of two-run ball. He scattered six hits and fanned five Jaspers. In relief, Silverman recorded the final two outs of the game for Rider and he was saddled with the loss.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Vitacco was as good today as anyone we've had all year. He gave us a chance to win and it is all you can ask. It was a quality start. We had opportunities, but failed to capitalize. Our last two games have been more of what we expect here. We competed in all three phases of the game." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Rider is now 5-6 in the MAAC and 3-17 on the road this year.
- The Broncs and Jaspers have split their last four meetings.  
- Rider had 10 hits and committed one error.
- The Broncs had 12 runners left on base.
- Rider has recorded 10 or more hits in six of their seven games.

 BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The start was the longest of Vitacco's career. He struck out five or more batters for the third time in his career and the second against a MAAC opponent. He left the game with a one-run lead and the game-tying run on first in the seventh.
- Silverman is now 1-4 this year. He struck out one Jasper and scattered two hits.
- Joe Simone, Tyler Stockwell and Christian Estevez all had two hits apiece for Rider.
- Harrison McClure registered his fifth game with two or more RBIs this year.
- Christian Estevez reached base four times. He was 2-for-2 with a pair of walks

UP NEXT
The Broncs return to action on Wednesday, April 25 with a non-conference contest against regional rival Saint Joseph's at 3:00 pm in the City of Brotherly Love.