PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA – The Rider baseball team secured its third consecutive appearance in the Liberty Bell Classic Championship with a commanding 11-1 win over Villanova on Tuesday afternoon. Chris Montone was stellar on the mound, allowing just three hits over six innings in the victory. 

The Broncs wasted no time, jumping ahead in the first inning when Erich Hartmann drove in a run with an RBI single, putting Rider up 1-0.

Nick Shuhet followed immediately with a two-run homer, his fifth of the season, extending the lead to 3-0.

After a scoreless second inning, Rider broke through again in the third. With the bases loaded, Peter Crespo delivered a single to right field, driving in a run. He advanced to second on a Villanova throwing error, allowing another run to score, making it 5-0.

Villanova turned to their bullpen for the second time in the game after Crespo's two-RBI single.

Anthony Paskell then stepped up and delivered a two-run single, pushing the Broncs' lead to 7-0.

At the top of the fifth, Rider continued to add to their lead, with a Paskell sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Charley Magoulcik, extending the score to 9-0.

The Broncs tacked on their tenth run in the sixth when Will Gallagher drove in a run with a groundout.

Shuhet capped off the scoring with an RBI single to center field in the sixth, making it 11-0.

Villanova would finally get on the board with a run in the seventh, but Rider held firm, ultimately cruising to an 11-1 victory to punch their ticket to the championship game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. 

Quotes and Notes
"We played solid baseball all around today. Chris Montone delivered a dominant outing, and we swung the bats well. Timely hitting and strong pitching are a winning formula. I'm excited that our players have the opportunity to play at Citizens Bank Park next week." – Rider Interim Head Coach Lee Lipinski

- Chris Montone earned the win for the Broncs, moving him to 1-1 on the year
- Rider advances to their third consecutive Liberty Bell Classic Championship game, where they'll face Delaware for the third year in a row.

Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs had ten hits in the victory with Matt Leahy, Crespo, Paskell, and Charley Magoulick each recording a hit. 
- Neri, Hartmann, and Shuhet each had two hits. 
- Hartmann, Magoulick, and Gallagher each had an RBI.
- Crespo had two RBIs, while Paskell led the Broncs with three RBIs.
- Montone started on the mound for the Broncs, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing three hits, zero runs, and striking out five batters. 
- Colby McNeely closed the game out, pitching 1.0 inning, allowing one hit, one run, and recording one strikeout. 

Up Next
The Broncs are back in action as they return to Sonny Pittaro Field for a three-game weekend series against Mount St. Mary's on Apr. 4.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m.