WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY –  Despite rallying late and cutting the deficit to one in the ninth inning, the Rider baseball team came up just short in a 5–4 loss to Sacred Heart in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. 

Sacred Heart jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning, using a three-run home run to take a 3–0 advantage.

Rider answered in the second when Nick Shuhet extended his hitting streak with an RBI single to get the Broncs on the board.

The Broncs continued to apply pressure in the third. Will Gallagher led off the inning with a single to center before AJ Labrusciano was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and Erich Hartmann delivered with a two-run double to tie the game at 3–3.

Sacred Heart regained the lead in the sixth, plating two runs to move back in front, 5–3.

Rider threatened again in the seventh after drawing three straight walks with two outs to load the bases, but the Pioneers escaped the jam to keep the two-run lead.

Peter Crespo gave the Broncs late life in the ninth with a solo home run, but Rider ultimately fell just short, dropping the series finale 5–4. 

Quotes and Notes
"Our guys created opportunities throughout the game, but we just didn't get it done at the plate and made a few mistakes on the bases. I thought we played solid defense and pitched well overall. Credit to Sacred Heart, they bounced back after dropping the first two games. There are a lot of positives for us to take from the weekend. Now our focus shifts to LIU on Tuesday and continuing to get better." – Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Kyle Neri and Nick Shuhet each extended their hitting streaks to nine games.
- Peter Crespo recorded his first home run of the season.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider totaled eight hits in the game.
- Erich Hartmann led the Broncs with two hits, while Neri, Charley Magoulick, Shuhet, Crespo, Will Gallagher, and AJ Labrusciano each added one.
- Hartmann drove in two runs, while Shuhet and Crespo each recorded an RBI.
- Clayton Poliey made the start, pitching 5.0 innings while allowing five hits and five runs with four strikeouts.
- Conner Flynn provided 2.0 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out one.
- Alex D'Ambrosio worked the final inning, allowing one hit and no runs.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on Mar. 10 when they travel to face LIU. F
irst pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.