NEW ROCHELLE, NY – A big second inning propelled the Rider baseball team to an 11-3 victory on Sunday afternoon, securing the series win 2-1.
Iona struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on RBI singles from Jordan Overton and Jayson Gonzalez.
However, the Broncs responded with a six-run explosion in the top of the second.
AJ Labruciano got things started with a sacrifice fly to drive in the first run. With one out, the Broncs' bats heated up as Will Gallagher and Kyle Neri each singled in an RBI, giving Rider a 3-2 lead.
The momentum continued as Matt Leahy and Joe Tiroly hit back-to-back doubles, with Tiroly driving in two runs to extend the lead to 6-2.
A walk and a wild pitch loaded the bases with one out, forcing Iona to go to the bullpen. Joey Kasper entered for the Gaels and managed to escape the jam, preventing any more runs from scoring.
Iona answered with a run in the bottom of the second to make it 6-3.
Rider added another run in the top of the fourth when Nick Shuhet singled to left field, bringing in a run to extend the lead to 7-3.
Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the eighth, when the Broncs tacked on two more runs. Matt Leahy's sacrifice fly and an Erich Hartmann single made it 9-3.
Rider capped off the game with two more runs in the top of the ninth. Peter Crespo scored on a wild pitch, and Kyle Neri's fourth hit of the day drove in another run to secure the 11-3 win and clinch the series victory.
Quotes and Notes
- Clayton Poliey earned the win, moving him to 2-2 in the season.
- Rider moves to 8-4 in the MAAC with the win and also securing their third conference series win
Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs had 12 hits in the victory, with Matt Leahy, Erich Hartmann, and Nick Shuhet all recording one hit.
- Tiroly and Crespo recorded two hits each, while Will Gallagher had three hits.
- Kyle Neri led the Broncs with four hits and two RBIs.
-Leahy and Tiroly had two RBIs each in the win.
- Hartmann, Shuhet, AJ Labruciano, and Gallagher each recorded one RBI.
-Clayton Poliey started on the mound for Rider, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts.
- Jake Dorety pitched 3.2 innings, allowing three hits and no runs.
- Zach Silfies pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one hit, zero runs, and one strikeout.
Up Next
The Broncs return to action on April 1st to take on Villanova in the Liberty Bell Classic Semifinal game.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
