BASEBALL
March 23-24, 2019
2019 MAAC Opener
Rider Broncs (6-12, 0-0 MAAC) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles (4-13, 0-0 MAAC)
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ (Sonny Pittaro Field)
First Pitch Game One: 12:00 pm (Saturday)
First Pitch Game Two: 2:30 pm (Saturday)
First Pitch Game Three: 12:00 pm (Sunday)
Live Stats: SidearmStats
Live Video Game One: ESPN3
Live Video Game Two: ESPN3
Live Video Game Three: ESPN3
How to Access ESPN3: Click here
Twitter: @RiderUBaseball

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Rider opens its 2019 conference schedule this weekend, March 23-24, hosting Niagara in MAAC play at Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs and Purple Eagles will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon and will close things out on Sunday at noon with a single nine-inning contest.

- This weekend's series will be one of two home series for the baseball team that will be streamed on the ESPN family of networks. All three games against Niagara will be broadcast on ESPN3.

- Last time out, Rider rallied to defeat LIU Brooklyn, 6-5, on Wednesday afternoon at home. With the score tied at five in the bottom of the eight, Mike Ionta delivered a two-out RBI single that brought Richie Tecco charging home as the eventual game-winning run.

- Rider's weekend rotation will consist of Pete Soporowski, Vincent Vitacco and Joe Papeo. Soporowski is 1-1 this season with a 1.98 ERA in 27 and a third innings of work. In his last start, Soporowski struck out a career-high 11 batters without issuing a walk. On the year, Soporowski has fanned 37 hitters and walked just three. Vitacco is 0-4 this spring and Papeo is 0-1 with a 2.66 ERA.

- Out of the bullpen, Zach Gakeler has been steady for the Broncs. Gakeler is 2-0 in 2019 with a team-high three saves. In 15 and two-thirds innings, Gakeler has amassed a 2.87 ERA with 19 strikeouts. Freshmen Kyle Smith and Danny Kirwin have also seen extensive action with eight appearances each.

- At the plate, junior Jack Peterson is coming off a career-best three-hit performance against the Blackbirds. In limited action, Chris Roan is leading the team in hitting at .375. Roan has made two or more hits in each of his last two starts.

- Riley Mihalik is batting .328 this season. He has already been tabbed as the MAAC Player of the Week twice this season. Mihalik leads the Broncs in hits (22), runs scored (13), extra-base hits (9), RBIs (15), home runs (5), total bases (41) and slugging percentage (.612).

- Earlier this season, junior Kyle Johnson recorded his 100th career hit. He and Peterson are currently tied for the team lead with seven doubles.