JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Rider University baseball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader with Saint Peter's on Sunday afternoon at Jaroschak Field. The Broncs took the opener, 14-3, and the Peacocks took the finale, 7-6.

The Broncs (11-19, 3-6 MAAC) won their first conference series of the season, while the Peacocks (2-23, 2-7 MAAC) earned their second league win of the year by taking the series finale.

In game one, Rider erupted for 14 runs thanks to walking a season-high 12 times. The Broncs scored five runs in the second innings and the team later put the game out of reach with seven runs in the fourth inning.

Leadoff hitter Kyle Johnson (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the opener. Chris Roan (Woodbury, NJ/Woodbury), Zach Fick (South Elgin, IL/St. Charles North) and Richie Tecco (Drexel Hill, PA/Monsignor Bonner) all had two RBIs apiece in game one.

In the finale, Saint Peter's erased a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run outburst. The host Peacocks added a pair of insurance runs in the home half of the eighth.

Rider's ninth-inning rally came up short with the game-tying run in scoring position. The Broncs scored a pair of runs in ninth courtesy of an RBI single from Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and a sac fly from Roan.

NOTES & QUOTES
"We will take the series win, but we left a lot on the table. We have to close innings, all seven of their runs in the second game came with two outs in the inning. Give Saint Peter's credit they played terrific in game three. We need to continue to work on how to finish innings defensively and how to situationally hit." – Rider Head Coach Barry Davis

- Rider had three different players two times in game one.
- Game one marked the fourth time this season that the Broncs scored 12 or more runs.
- Vincent Vitacco tossed six innings in game one to earn the victory. He struck out four hitters and scattered five hits.
- Liam Harding worked a perfect 1-2-3 seventh inning in the first game of the day. He struck out two batters.
- Jordan Silverman was saddled with the loss in game two.
- In game two, Joe Simone accounted for four of Rider's seven hits. He went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored.

UP NEXT
Rider returns to action on Tuesday, April 9 with a home non-conference clash against in-state rival Seton Hall that is slated to begin at 3:30 pm.