POMONA, NY – The Rider baseball team left it all on the field in its season finale, rallying from multiple deficits and taking a late lead, but ultimately fell short in a 7-6 extra-inning loss to Fairfield on Saturday. In a back-and-forth battle filled with big moments and late drama, the Broncs came just shy of extending their season, as the Stags used a tenth-inning solo homer to seal the win.
After two scoreless innings, Fairfield broke through first, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Matthew Bucciero.
The Stags tacked on two more in the top of the fourth, highlighted by a solo homer from Schmalzle to extend the lead to 3-0.
Rider responded in the bottom of the fifth with back-to-back singles from Nick Shuhet and Will Gallagher to spark the offense. A flyout from Charley Magoulick moved Gallagher to third, setting the stage for Matt Leahy, who laid down a bunt to drive in the Broncs' first run.
In the sixth, Erich Hartmann led off with a base hit, and two batters later Shuhet came through with an RBI single to bring Rider within one, trailing 3-2.
Fairfield answered right back in the top of the seventh with two more runs to make it 5-2.
Magoulick kept Rider alive in the bottom of the seventh, launching a solo homer to cut the deficit to two. Leahy was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on an RBI single from Hartmann, trimming the lead to 5-4.
The Broncs made their biggest push in the bottom of the eighth. Neri led off with a single and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Shuhet.
Rider tied the game at 5-5 when Gallagher and Magoulick hit back-to-back singles to score Neri.
Leahy then reached on a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with two outs as Gallagher moved to third.
The game shifted in the Broncs' favor when they executed a flawless double steal, highlighted by Gallagher's burst of speed as he stole home to give Rider a 6-5 lead heading into the ninth inning.
Fairfield responded once more in the top of the ninth, pushing across a run to tie it again at 6-6.
Rider got a hit in the bottom half, but the Stags turned a 6-4-3 double play to send the game into extras.
With two outs in the top of the tenth, Fairfield's Nolan Colby delivered the decisive blow—a solo home run to give the Stags a 7-6 edge.
Shuhet recorded a hit in the bottom of the tenth, but the Broncs couldn't capitalize, falling 7-6 in extra innings to close out the season.
Quotes and Notes
"I am extremely proud of this group I will forever be grateful for their efforts and support. They made this season easy for me. They made this season magic. We'll be back." - Rider Head Coach Lee Lipinski
- The Broncs end the season with a 34-18 overall record and as MAAC regular season champions.
- Magoulick launched his eighth home run of the year.
- Zach Silfies was tagged with the loss, falling to 4-2 on the season.
- Shuhet, Hartmann, and Magoulick were all named to the MAAC All-Championship Team following standout performances throughout the tournament.
Broncs by the Numbers
- Six different Broncs recorded hits in the game, including Hartmann, Neri, Shuhet, Gallagher, Magoulick, and Leahy.
- Hartmann led the offense with a four-hit performance, while Shuhet followed with three hits.
- Gallagher and Magoulick each added two hits.
- At the plate, Hartmann, Shuhet, and Leahy each drove in a run, while Magoulick led the team with two RBIs.
- On the mound, Colby McNeely got the start for Rider, tossing 6.1 innings and allowing five runs (four earned) while striking out three.
- Jake Dorety provided 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, giving up just one hit and striking out two.
- Zach Silifes closed things out, pitching the final 2.0 innings and allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout
