Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Rider Broncs (5-14) vs. Villanova Wildcats (7-14)
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ Sonny Pittaro Field
Live Stats:– GoBroncs.com
WATCH- ESPN+
Twitter: @RiderUBaseball

What You Need To Know
- The 2023 MAAC Champion Rider Broncs open up Sonny Pittaro Field for the first time in 2024 as they host Villanova.

About the Broncs
- Rider returns four offensive starters from a season ago, led by 2023 2nd Team All-MAAC selection Brian Skettini who hit a team-high .313 last season with 67 hits, 46 runs, and 49 RBIs.The Broncs also return a pair of stellar performers from their impressive run to the Conway regional as NCAA Tournament All-Conway Regional Team selection Jack Winsett and Right Fielder Erich Hartmann both return after strong seasons in '23. The final returner offensively is 2023 MAAC All-Tournament Team selection Luke Lesch who started 57 games a year ago while also having 18 multi-hit games, including three multi-hit games and a pair of home runs in the MAAC Tournament.
- The Broncs pitching staff is highlighted by Junior LHP Brian Young. Young was stellar down the stretch as in his final three starts he went 19.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 1.41 ERA, including 7.1 innings and four strikeouts vs Fairfield in the MAAC Tournament being named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team. Rider will also see a combination of young arms see action including Sophomores PJ Craig, Clayton Poliey, Gavin Hawkes, Christian Aiello, and Freshman Jake Dorety.

Back in the MAAC
- Rider kicked off MAAC play by sweeping Quinnipiac this past weekend. 
- The Rider University baseball team earned a single first-place vote and was selected fourth ahead of the 2024 season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Junior Pitcher Brian Young was the lone Bronc to earn Preseason All-MAAC Team honors.
- Rider is coming off one of their best seasons in program history. Rider played in a regional for the 15th time in program history, and Rider's 36 wins matched the 2010 team for most wins in program history.
- Rider also won their fourth MAAC Championship, all under Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis, and reached their ninth appearance in the MAAC Championship Game. 

Last Time Out
 - Rider had 14 hits in the game three win with every member of the starting lineup getting a hit in the contest.
- Kyle Neri, Jack Winsett, Brian Skettini, Luke Lesch, Matt Leahy, and Joe Tiroly all recorded RBIs in game three.
- Neri finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a home run, and a triple. 
- Lesch moved his on-base streak to 19 games and his hit streak to 13 games
- Justin Costanzo and Skettini both continued their on-base streaks with Costanzo at 13 and Skettini at 12.
- Rider combined for 33 runs on 37 hits in the series vs the Bobcats. 

History vs Villanova
- The Broncs and Wildcats are meeting for the 60th time on Tuesday afternoon, with Vilanova holding a 34-25 lead in the series. 
- Rider has won each of the last three matchups including a 11-7 win last year in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

About Villanova
- Last time out,  Villanova avoided the sweep in Virginia winning game three 9-2 over George Mason.
- Jack O'Reilly and former Bronc Scott Shaw lead the Wildcats with five home runs on the year. O'Reilly leads Villanova in batting average (.315), OPS (.986), slugging (.596), and RBIs (20) on the year.
- A pair of former Broncs make their return to "the Pitt" as Shaw and Pitcher Alec Sachais now attend Villanova. 

Pitching Matchups
RID- Chris Montone RHP (Williamstown, NJ/ Williamstown)
7 APP 9.1 IP 12.54 ERA

Villanova- CJ Furey LHP
1 APP 2.0 IP 13.50 ERA

About The Doc
- Returning for his 20th season is Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis. During his tenure, Davis has transformed the program into a consistent contender in the Metro-Atlantic Conference (MAAC), winning four conference tournament championships, two regular-season championships, and qualifying for twelve conference tournaments. Davis owns a 1026 – 693 career record, picking up his 1000th win last season over Richmond on March 11. 
- Last year, Rider won their fourth MAAC Championship, all under Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis, and reached their ninth appearance in the MAAC Championship Game.