LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – After an early setback, the Rider baseball team rallied to open the series with a 5-3 win over Sacred Heart on Thursday afternoon on Sonny Pittaro Field. Sparked by Joe Tiroly's game-tying two-run homer, the Broncs took control and closed out the game with three scoreless innings to secure the victory.

The Broncs fell into an early 2-0 deficit in the top of the second inning, as the Pioneers took advantage of a wild pitch and a throwing error to score the game's first two runs.

Rider flipped the momentum in the bottom of the third when Joe Tiroly launched his 15th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field wall, to tie the game at 2-2.

In the fifth, Matt Leahy got things going with a leadoff single to center. Kyle Neri followed up with an RBI single, bringing Leahy home to give the Broncs a 3-2 lead.

Sacred Heart responded in the top of the sixth, leveling the score at 3-3 after Ronan Donohue delivered an RBI single.

The Broncs bounced back in the bottom of the inning, collecting four hits. Peter Crespo notched his second hit of the day, driving in Anthony Paskell to put Rider back on top, 4-3.

Rider added an insurance run in the eighth when Will Gallagher ripped a single through center field, plating Nick Shuhet to extend the lead to 5-3.

The Broncs locked things down from there, holding the Pioneers hitless over the final three innings to secure a gritty 5-3 victory.

Quotes and Notes
"Both teams played a great game today and credit to Sacred Heart, they're a solid club. Really happy with our pitching staff for stepping up and delivering a strong performance today. We also had some timely, clutch hitting that helped us get the job done. Still two more tough ones ahead, so we'll stay locked in and ready to compete." – Rider Interim Head Coach Lee Lipinski

- Kyle Batt earned the win moving him to 3-2 on the season.
- Joe Tiroly racked up his 15th homerun of the season.
- Tiroly now has seven home runs in Rider's last eight games.
- Rider moves to 22-10 overall and 13-5 in the MAAC. 

Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs had 11 hits in the victory, with Leahy, Tiroly, Neri, and Magoulick all recording one hit. 
- Peter Crespo and Will Gallagher each had two hits. 
- Nick Shuhet led the Broncs with three hits on the afternoon. 
- Neri, Crespo, and Gallagher each recorded an RBI. 
- Tiroly led the team with two RBIs.
- Kyle Batt started on the mound for the Broncs, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs and four strikeouts. 
- Chris Montone pitched 2.0 innings, allowing zero hits, zero runs, and struck out one batter.
- Gavin Hawkes closed the game out, pitching 1.0 inning, allowing zero hits, zero runs, and recorded one strikeout.

Up Next
The Broncs are back in action tomorrow, April 18, as they continue their series against Sacred Heart at Sonny Pittaro Field.
First pitch is set for 1 p.m.