LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Despite taking an early lead, the Rider baseball team fell to Merrimack, 7-3, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Sonny Pittaro Field.

After two scoreless innings, Merrimack struck first in the top of the third with a Brady Canvan RBI double, making it 1-0.

Rider quickly responded in the bottom of the third, as Erich Hartmann's single drove Will Gallagher home to even the score.

The Broncs took control in the fourth inning, loading the bases and scoring twice courtesy of a Gallagher RBI single and a wild pitch, giving them a 3-1 advantage.

Merrimack's Logan Castellano closed the gap with an RBI double in the top of the sixth, cutting Rider's lead to 3-2.

The Warriors then loaded the bases with no outs, prompting Rider to bring in Kyle Batt from the bullpen to relieve Clayton Poliey. Merrimack capitalized, plating four more runs to surge ahead, 6-3.

Rider threatened with runners on second and third in the bottom of the eighth, but Merrimack got out of the inning to keep the score unchanged.

Jayden Hamilton added an insurance run for Merrimack with an RBI in the ninth, sealing the 7-3 victory.

Quotes and Notes
- Despite the loss, the Broncs still win the series 2-1. 
- This is the second conference series win with defeating Saint Peter's and now Merrimack

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider earned six hits in the loss, with Hartmann, Charley Magoulick, and Gallagher each recording two hits.
- Gallagher and Hartmann each had an RBI in the loss. 
- Clayton Poliey started the game for the Broncs pitching 5.0 innings, allowing five hits, and five earned runs. 
- Kyle Batt pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one hit, one earned run, and two strikeouts.
- Jake Dorety closed the game out, pitching 1.0 inning, allowing two hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts. 

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on Mar. 25 to take on Lehigh in the 2025 Liberty Bell Classic opening round on Sonny Pittaro Field.