LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – A late-game rally and a walk-off bunt from Anthony Paskell lifted the Rider baseball team to a 4-3 victory over Siena on Friday afternoon on Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs improved to 7-5 (3-1 MAAC) while the Saints dropped to 6-9 (2-2 MAAC). 

The game remained scoreless until the top of the third when the Siena broke through with a two-run single to take a 2-0 lead.

The Broncs answered in the bottom of the sixth. Anthony Paskell led off the inning with a single to center before Charley Magoulick followed with a base hit to left. Nick Shuhet then singled to center to load the bases with no outs. Eliot Medlock lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Paskell and cut the deficit to 2-1 while advancing runners to the corners. Matt Leahy followed with another sacrifice fly to left, scoring Magoulick to tie the game at 2-2.

Rider threatened again in the seventh, putting runners on the corners, but the Saints escaped the inning without damage.

Siena regained the lead in the top of the eighth, plating a run to move ahead 3-2.

Nick Shuhet quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. After falling behind 0-2 in the count, the junior launched a solo home run to left field to even the score at 3-3.

The Broncs then retired the Saints in order to open up the ninth. At the bottom of the frame, Will Gallagher worked a leadoff walk to put the winning run aboard. Erich Hartmann then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Gallagher into scoring position, and a wild pitch advanced him to third.

With two outs, Paskell stepped to the plate and dropped a perfectly placed bunt on the first pitch, allowing Gallagher to race home with the winning run as Rider walked it off, 4-3.

Quotes and Notes

"It was a well-pitched, tightly played game. We put together three straight hits and executed with a runner at third and less than two outs to get on the board. Nick Shihet came through with a big hit to tie it up, and our small-ball approach in the ninth was outstanding. Will Gallagher worked a walk, Erich Hartman dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt, Will made a great read on a ball in the dirt, and Anthony Paskell beat out a two-out bunt for a hit for us to score. 

PJ Craig gave us a strong start, just two runs over 6.2 innings will give you a chance to win every time, and Christian Aiello was solid out of the bullpen. It's great to get the first one, but now the focus shifts to being ready for game two." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Gallagher extended his hitting streak to nine games.
- Christian Aiello earned the win, improving to 3-1 on the season.
- Shuhet recorded his first home run of the year.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider totaled seven hits in the contest.
- Paskell and Shuhet paced the Broncs with two hits apiece.
- Gallagher, Charley Magoulick, and Matt Leahy each added a hit.
- Paskell, Shuhet, Eliot Medlock, and Leahy each drove in a run.
- PJ Craig got the start, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing seven hits and two runs with six strikeouts.
- Christian Aiello earned the win in relief, pitching 2.1 innings while allowing two hits and one run with three strikeouts.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action tomorrow, Mar. 14, for game two of the series against Siena.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on ESPN+.