BUIES CREEK, NC – The Rider baseball team edged out Campbell 3-2 on Saturday afternoon, with three runs making the difference.

Both Brian Young and David Rossow delivered strong performances on the mound in the early innings, keeping the game scoreless until the top of the third. The Broncs broke through when Matt Leahy and Erich Hartmann hit back-to-back singles. Leahy advanced to third on the Hartmann hit.

Rider struck first as Leahy crossed home plate after Joe Tiroly reached first on a fielder's choice.

Rider loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, forcing Campbell to turn to the bullpen, replacing David Rossow with Evan Hendricks. However, the Broncs couldn't take advantage of the opportunity.

At the top of the fifth, the Broncs started the inning after Nick Shuhet got on base by getting hit by the pitch. Richie Sica would be the next batter to get a hit and send Shuhet to third base. Shuhet would score off a wild pitch to extend their lead to 2-0. 

Kyle Neri contributed another Bronc score with a Sica groundout to third base.

Brian Young delivered a strong pitching performance, holding Campbell hitless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Darnell Parker broke through with a double.

The Fighting Camels scored in the sixth inning with a Jett Music RBI double, followed by a sacrifice fly, narrowing the gap to 3-2 with one out. However, the Broncs retired the inning with a 5-4-3 double play.

Chris Montone would relieve Brian Young after 7.0 innings. 

A single hit by the Broncs in the top of the ninth kept the score at 3-2. Rider's defense held strong to secure the narrow victory, with Chris Montone earning the save.

Quotes and Notes
"Brian set a dominant tone on the mound. We did enough offensively to win, but the story was dominance on the mound and sound defense. Feels great to get the first series of the year. Always good when we are playing for a sweep on Sunday." – Interim Head Coach Lee Lipinski
- Hartmann has four hits in the series against Campbell this weekend.
- Young allowed only two Campbell base runners in the first five innings

Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs earned five hits in the victory with Leahy and Richie Sica each recording one. 
- Hartmann recorded the remaining three hits to go 3-5 at bat on the day.
- Tiroly and Sica each had an RBI in the win.
- Brian Young pitched 7.0 innings allowing four hits, two earned runs, along with four strikeouts. 
- Chris Montone was awarded the save pitching 2.0 innings allowing one hit, zero runs, and one strikeout. 

Up Next
The Broncs return to action to wrap up the weekend series with Campbell on Feb. 23. 
First pitch is set for 1 p.m.