POMONA, NY – Nick Shuhet's three-run homer in the third inning powered top-seeded Rider to an 8-5 win over fifth-seeded Quinnipiac on Friday afternoon at Clover Stadium, as the Broncs opened the 2025 MAAC Baseball Tournament with a victory and advanced in the winner's bracket to face No. 2 Fairfield on Saturday morning.

After a quiet first inning, Quinnipiac got a runner on in the top of the second, but a quick 4-3 double play ended the threat and kept the game scoreless.

Rider broke through in the bottom half of the frame. Nick Shuhet and Will Gallagher got things started with back-to-back singles. Charley Magoulick followed with a flyout to center, allowing Shuhet to move up to third. Matt Leahy then lifted a sacrifice fly to centerfield, bringing home Shuhet for the game's first run and giving the Broncs a 1-0 lead.

Quinnipiac threatened in the top of the third, putting runners on the corners with one out, but the Broncs turned a clutch 6-4-3 double play to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

Erich Hartmann got things going again in the bottom of the third with a leadoff single to left. Joe Tiroly followed with a walk.

Two batters later, Shuhet stepped in and launched a three-run homer to center, extending Rider's lead to 4-0.

The Bobcats answered in the top of the fourth with a solo home run from Christian Smith to get on the board.

Rider responded immediately in the bottom half, tacking on another run when Hartmann grounded out to bring in a runner and push the lead to 5-1.

Quinnipiac opened the fifth with back-to-back singles and eventually brought in their second run of the day, trimming the deficit to 5-2.

Rider wasted no time answering. Shuhet and Gallagher each collected base hits in the bottom of the fifth, setting up Magoulick for a sacrifice fly to restore the four-run cushion at 6-2.

Smith struck again for Quinnipiac in the sixth, belting his second solo homer of the game to bring the Bobcats back within three.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rider loaded the bases with two outs after a Tiroly single, a walk to Kyle Neri, and Shuhet being hit by a pitch. Gallagher drew a walk to bring home Tiroly, pushing the Broncs' lead to 7-3.

The Broncs tacked on an insurance run in the eighth with another sacrifice fly from Magoulick.

Quinnipiac added a run in the ninth, but Rider locked down the final out to seal the victory.

Quotes and Notes
"We didn't play our best game but we found a way to win and it was promising for the rest of the weekend. Zach Silifes, our closer is another guy that's a bulldog. He's a guy with a lot of experience being a 6th year." – Rider Head Coach Lee Lipinski

"One of the biggest things for us is how close we are off the field. Brian and I have a strong bond both on and off the field, and that really helps us understand each other. That off-field connection definitely makes our chemistry during games even better." – Nick Shuhet

- Joe Tiroly collected his 64th run of the season which breaks AJ Albee's single-season program record 
- Shuhet recorded his eighth home run of the season.
- The Broncs improve to 33-16 on the year. 
- Brian Young earned the win moving him to a perfect 9-0 on the year. 
- Zach Silfies secured his ninth save of the season.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider tallied 12 hits in the victory with Tiroly, Neri, Leahy, Hartmann, Shuhet, and Gallagher each recording a hit. 
- Hartmann, Shuhet, and Gallagher each had three hits.
- Hartmann, Gallagher, and Leahy recorded an RBI.
- Magoulick recorded two RBIs and Shuhet lead the Broncs with three RBIs.
- Brian Young pitched 7.1 innings, allowing four runs, and recorded four strikeouts. 
- Zach Silfies closed the game out for the Broncs pitching 1.2 innings, allowing one run, and struck out one.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action tomorrow morning to take on second-seeded Fairfield at Clover Stadium. 
First pitch is set for 11 a.m.