NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Another tightly contested, low-scoring battle took place on Saturday afternoon as the Broncs fell 4-1 to Iona, evening the series at one game apiece.
Iona got on the board early, scoring the game's first run in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead.
The Gaels doubled their advantage in the second when Sean Stephenson led off with a solo home run, making it 2-0.
Iona broke the game open in the fourth, stringing together four straight hits and a walk to plate two more runs. RBI singles from Damian Rodriguez and JC Frias extended the lead to 4-0, prompting Rider to turn to the bullpen, bringing in
Gavin Hawkes to relieve
Kyle Batt.
Iona's pitching, led by Andrelys Payamps, kept the Broncs in check, allowing just two hits through five innings. However, in the sixth,
Erich Hartmann put Rider on the board with a solo blast over the right-center wall, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Hawkes delivered a strong relief performance, keeping the Gaels scoreless while recording two strikeouts in the sixth and three more in the eighth.
Hawkes worked out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth, stranding runners on second and third with two outs.
Despite Hawkes' efforts, Rider couldn't generate a late offensive push, going hitless in the ninth as Iona secured the win to even the series.
Quotes and Notes
"Iona did a great job on the mound today, and we didn't do enough offensively. Our pitching has been solid, and Hawkes was awesome today. We have a chance to win the series on the road tomorrow, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
– Rider Interim Head Coach Lee Lipinski
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Kyle Batt received the loss moving him to 2-1 on the season.
- Rider moves to 7-4 in the MAAC with the loss.
Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs recorded three hits in the loss, with Hartmann,
Joe Tiroly, and
Nick Shuhet each earning a single hit.
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Kyle Batt started on the mound for the Broncs, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing eight hits, four earned runs, and two strikeouts.
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Gavin Hawkes was outstanding out of the bullpen for the Broncs, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing just two hits, no runs, and a season-best five strikeouts.
Up Next
The Broncs return to action tomorrow, Mar. 30, to wrap up the final game of the series at Iona.
First pitch is set for 12 p.m.
