BROOKLYN, NY – The Rider baseball team built an early lead and held off a late push to defeat LIU, 7–6, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Broncs wasted no time getting on the board in the opening inning. Will Gallagher drew a leadoff walk before Erich Hartmann followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Kyle Neri then delivered an RBI single to bring home Gallagher and give Rider a 1–0 lead. Two batters later, Peter Crespo lined a two-run triple to extend the Broncs' advantage to 3–0.

Rider continued the offensive surge in the second inning. With one out, Noah Heath recorded his first collegiate hit to spark the rally before Gallagher worked an eight-pitch walk to put two runners on. Hartmann followed with an RBI single to score Heath, and Neri added a two-run double to push the lead to 6–0. Charley Magoulick capped the inning with an RBI single through the infield to plate Neri and give the Broncs a 7–0 advantage.

LIU chipped away at the deficit, scoring single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to make it 7–2.

The Sharks mounted a bigger rally in the seventh, plating three runs to cut the Rider lead to 7–5. LIU threatened again in the eighth after loading the bases, but the Broncs limited the damage to just one run to maintain a 7–6 lead.

Rider put two runners on in the ninth but was unable to add insurance. Alex D'Ambrosio then closed out the game in the bottom half, retiring the side in order to secure the 7–6 victory.

Quotes and Notes
"Offensively, we came out strong, scoring seven runs in the first two innings. Noah Heath got a hit in his very first collegiate at-bat, helping turn the lineup over, and Dylan Kane was outstanding in his first college start, throwing strikes with three pitches and keeping their hitters off balance. Jared Greenzang and Frank Papeo were solid out of the bullpen, and Alex D'Ambrosio finished the game by shutting the door. As a team, we need to do a better job of maintaining momentum and closing games early. We took our foot off the gas, which allowed them to stay in it and make a comeback." – Assistant Coach Casey Aubin

"A gut-check win! It's important to take the close ones, too. Tomorrow's a fresh start." – Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Noah Heath made his first collegiate start and recorded the first hit of his career.
- Kyle Neri extended his hitting streak to ten games while Shuhet extended his to nine games.
- Gallagher is also on a hitting streak with hits in seven consecutive games. 
- Dylan Kane earned his first collegiate start and victory, while Alex D'Ambrosio picked up his second save of the season.
- Erich Hartmann tallied his third consecutive game with a double.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider totaled 10 hits in the game.
- Hartmann and Neri each led the Broncs with three hits apiece.
- Will Gallagher, Charley Magoulick, Peter Crespo, and Heath each added one hit.
- Neri led the Broncs with three RBIs, while Crespo drove in two.
- Hartmann and Magoulick each recorded an RBI.
- Dylan Kane made the start, pitching 5.0 innings while allowing five hits and two runs with one strikeout.
- Frank Papeo worked 2.0 innings in relief, allowing four hits and three runs.
- Jared Greenzang pitched 0.2 innings, allowing one run while striking out one.
- D'Ambrosio closed out the game with 1.1 innings of work, allowing one hit and no runs.

Up Next
Rider returns to action tomorrow, Mar. 11, with a road matchup against Hofstra. 
First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.