ASHEVILLE, NC - The Rider baseball team wrapped up its opening weekend with a three-game road sweep at UNC Asheville on Saturday.

Game One
Rider struck first in the top of the second inning. After Charley Magoulick opened the frame with a single, Matt Leahy delivered a clutch double to put runners in scoring position. Will Gallagher reached on a fielder's choice, but Magoulick was thrown out at the plate. Anthony Paskell promptly brought in Leahy, and a two run double by Erich Hartmann scored Gallagher and Paskell to give the Broncs an early 3-0 lead.

Asheville responded in the bottom of the third, erupting for five runs to take a 5-3 advantage into the fourth inning. The Bulldogs appeared ready to add more in the fourth, loading the bases with no outs, but Rider turned two quick outs to escape the threat.

The Broncs battled back in the fifth. A groundout RBI by Kyle Neri and a run scored on a wild pitch evened the game at 5-5. Asheville regained a 6-5 edge with a solo home run to close the inning.

Rider answered in the sixth when Magoulick opened the frame with a triple. After Leahy reached on a fielder's choice, back-to-back singles from Gallagher and Paskell brought in Leahy to tie the game at 6-6. Hartmann reached on another fielder's choice, and Gallagher scored on a throwing error to put Rider ahead 7-6.

The Broncs broke it open in the seventh inning. Nick Shuhet led off with a single and Eliot Medlock was hit by a pitch to put two aboard, before Charley Magoulick launched a three-run homer to right-center to stretch the lead to 10-6. Asheville threatened in its half of the seventh, loading the bases, but managed just one run and left three stranded to make it 10-7.

In the ninth, the Bulldogs scored again and loaded the bases with two outs, but Rider's bullpen limited the rally to one run to seal the 10-8 win and clinch the series.

Game Two
After two scoreless innings, the Broncs broke through in the top of the third. Erich Hartmann launched a two-run home run over the center-field wall to give Rider a 2-0 lead.

Asheville answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth to trim the deficit to 2-1.

Rider responded immediately in the fifth. RBI singles from Hartmann and Kyle Neri pushed two more runs across, extending the Broncs' advantage.

The offense continued to build in the seventh. Neri delivered an RBI double to center field, and Eliot Medlock followed with a run-scoring single to stretch the lead to 6-1.

Rider put the game out of reach in the eighth inning, plating four runs. Neri capped his strong performance with a two-run home run to left field, highlighting a four-RBI day and extending the lead to 10-1.

Asheville added a run in the ninth, but Rider limited the damage and secured the 10-2 victory to finish off the sweep.

Quotes and Notes
"It's always a positive when you win. Overall, we were better offensively today. We were able to keep the pressure on them throughout. Defensively, we handled the ball. Turned a few key double plays. Only one error all weekend. Kudos to our guys. We pitched inconsistently, but managed the moments when we needed to. We've got plenty to work on." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Charley Magoulick hit his first home run of the season.
- Erich Hartmann and Kyle Neri each recorded their first home runs of the year.
- Rider improved to 3-1 in the all-time series against Asheville.
- Jack Ruditzky earned the win in Game One, while Alex D'Ambrosio secured the save.
- D'Ambrosio made his first appearance in a Rider uniform in Game One.
- Clayton Poliey picked up the win in Game Two.
- Conner Flynn and Dylan Kane each made their collegiate debuts on the mound.

Broncs by the Numbers
Game One
- Rider collected 13 hits in the win.
- Erich Hartmann and Charley Magoulick led the way with three hits each, while Anthony Paskell added two. Kyle Neri, Nick Shuhet, Eliot Medlock, Matt Leahy, and Will Gallagher each contributed a hit.
- Magoulick drove in three runs, and both Paskell and Hartmann had two RBIs apiece. Neri also recorded an RBI.
- On the mound, Kyle Batt earned the start, going 2.2 innings and allowing seven hits and five runs. 
- Jake Dorety followed with 1.1 scoreless innings, surrendering no hits. 
- Jack Rudtizky pitched 1.2 innings, giving up two hits and one run, while Chris Montone tossed 2.3 innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two.
- Alex D'Ambrosio closed the game with a 0.2-inning scoreless frame, allowing no hits or runs and striking out one.

Game Two
- Rider totaled 10 hits in the victory.
- Kyle Neri led the offense with four hits, while Erich Hartmann added two.
- Anthony Paskell, Eliot Medlock, Nick Shuhet and Matt Leahy each recorded one hit.
- Hartmann and Neri drove in four runs apiece, and Medlock added one RBI.
- Clayton Poley made the start, tossing 5.0 innings while allowing four hits and one run with three strikeouts to earn the win.
- Frank Papeo appeared in relief, recording one out while allowing one hit and no runs.
- Connor Flynn worked 2.2 innings, surrendering two hits and one run while striking out three.
- Dylan Kane closed out the game with a scoreless ninth, allowing no hits and striking out two.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on Feb. 27, traveling to Delaware for a weekend series against the Blue Hens.
First pitch is set for 4 p.m.