PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Rider University baseball team scored two runs in the top of the ninth and held off a late rally to defeat La Salle, 7-6, on Sunday afternoon in non-conference action at Hank DeVincent Field.

The Broncs (2-4) snapped a four-game skid with the victory, while the Explorers (4-2) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Rider jumped out to an early 5-0 lead courtesy of a pair of home runs from senior Riley Mihalik (Churchville, PA/Chestnut Hill Academy). Mihalik hit a two-out, two-run blast to right to open the scoring in the contest in the first inning. In the top of third, Mihalik hit a three-run bomb to right to stretch the Bronc advantage to 5-0.

La Salle answered with a four-run outburst in the home half of the six to cut the Rider advantage to just one. All four of the Explorer runs in the frame were unearned.

The hosts would tie in the game in the seventh on a solo home run.

In the top of the ninth, senior Brennan McAllister (Middletown, DE/Middletown) hit a one-out RBI triple to give Rider a 6-5 lead and he would eventually come around to score on a wild pitch to give the guests a two-run edge at 7-5.

Reliever Zach Gakeler (Jobstown, NJ/North Burlington) was able to get out a jam in the ninth to seal the victory. In relief, freshman Andrew Imperatore (New Hyde Park, NY/Herricks) picked up his first career victory, while Gakeler earned his first save of the season.

NOTES & QUOTES
"Today was a much-needed win. Joe Papeo was excellent for us today. He deserved to get the win. Riley had five RBIs and he has been consistent all year. The bullpen was able to hold on and close the game out over the final seven outs." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Rider tied a season-high with 10 hits. The Broncs 10 hits in two of the three games in the series with La Salle.
- The Broncs committed two errors. Rider has made at least one error in all six games this season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- Joe Papeo tossed five and two-thirds innings for the Broncs. He scattered six hits and did not surrender an earned run. He fanned five Explorers and issued just one walk.
- Nick Payesko retired the only batter he faced out of the bullpen.
- Brennan McAllister went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
- Mihalik recorded his third straight multi-hit game. He went 2-for-5 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored and five RBIs. He has recorded at least one RBI in five of the team's six games.

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Tuesday, February 26 with a game against regional foe Lafayette. The contest will take place in Flemington, New Jersey and the Broncs will serve as the home team.