LITTLE FALLS, NJ – A four-run third inning and a go-ahead solo shot from Joe Tiroly proved to be the difference as the Rider baseball team edged NJIT, 7-4, on Wednesday evening at Yogi Berra Stadium.

The Broncs fell behind early, as NJIT jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Jack Stead. The Highlanders added another run in the second to go up 4-0.

Rider responded in the top of the third. With the bases loaded and one out, Nick Shuhet drew a walk to bring in the Broncs' first run of the game. 

On the very next pitch, Charley Magoulick laced a double to right field, driving in two more to cut the deficit to 4-3. Anthony Paskell then walked to reload the bases, and AJ Labrusciano delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4-4.

At the top of the fourth, Joe Tiroly gave Rider the lead with a solo home run over the left field wall, his 12th of the season, making it 5-4.

From there, the Broncs' bullpen took over, allowing just two hits in innings six and seven. 

Gavin Hawkes took the mound in the bottom of the seventh, relieving Jack Ruditzky, and delivered a flawless inning to keep NJIT scoreless.

Rider threatened again in the eighth, putting runners on second and third but failing to add insurance runs. 

However, in the top of the ninth, the Broncs came through. Three straight hits loaded the bases with one out, and Will Gallagher, hitless up to that point, delivered a clutch single to center, plating two runs to extend the lead to 7-4.

Hawkes closed it out with a dominant performance on the mound, allowing just one hit over three scoreless innings to secure the win for Rider.

Quotes and Notes
- Erich Hartmann extends his hitting streak to ten games.
- Joe Tiroly launched his 12th home run of the season, marking his fourth straight game going yard.

Broncs by the Numbers
- The Broncs had 15 hits in the victory with Erich Hartmann, Griffin Puvel, Shuhet, Labrusciano, and Gallagher each recording a single hit. 
- Magoulick and Paskell each had two hits in the win. 
- Kyle Neri and Joe Tiroly led the Broncs each recording three hits.
- Tiroly, Labrusciano, and Shuhet each recorded an RBI.
- Gallagher and Magoulick had a team-best of two RBIs each.
- Chris Montone pitched 3.0 innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and two strikeouts.
- Colby McNeely pitched 2.0 innings, allowing one hit, zero runs, and one strikeout.
- Jack Ruditzky pitched 1.0 inning, allowing one hit.
- Gavin Hawkes closed the game out for the Broncs, pitching 3.0 innings, allowing just one hit, zero runs, and three strikeouts

Up Next
The Broncs are back in action on April 11, opening a three-game weekend series against Manhattan. 
First pitch is set for 4 p.m.