FAIRFIELD, CT - Behind a career day from Nick Shuhet and a lights-out relief outing from Christian Aiello, Rider earned a 6-3 win over Fairfield on Saturday afternoon, setting up a decisive rubber match in the series finale on Sunday. The Broncs improved to 18-11 (13-4 MAAC) while Fairfield drops to 15-13 (10-4 MAAC). 

Fairfield got on the board first in the bottom of the third, launching a two-run home run to take an early 2-0 lead.

The Broncs responded in the fourth, as Nick Shuhet led off with a double down the left field line. One batter later, Demetri Bardatsos delivered with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Stags answered right back in the bottom half of the inning, pushing their lead to 3-1.

Rider evened things up in the fifth with a two-out rally. Erich Hartmann started the frame with a double, and after back-to-back walks to Shuhet and Charley Magoulick loaded the bases, Bardatsos was hit by a pitch to bring in a run. Noah Heath followed by drawing another walk to force in the tying run and knot the game at 3-3.

The Broncs grabbed their first lead in the sixth. Will Gallagher reached after being hit by a pitch, and with two outs, Anthony Paskell singled to put runners in scoring position. Shuhet came through again, ripping his third hit of the day to plate the go-ahead run and give Rider a 4-3 edge.

Christian Aiello delivered a huge moment out of the bullpen in the sixth, entering with no outs and runners on first and second. He struck out all three batters he faced to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

Rider added insurance in the seventh. Bardatsos worked a leadoff walk, Heath moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, and Gallagher came through with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-3.

The Broncs capped the scoring in the eighth, as Shuhet struck again with an RBI triple to make it 6-3, which would stand as the final.

Quotes and Notes
"A solid win against a really good team. I thought we pitched it well and played strong defense all game. Batt and Aiello were outstanding on the mound, and big hits late from Will and Nick helped us create some separation.

It was also a big day for our two freshmen, Demetri and Noah, who gave us eight really productive at-bats between them. Game three is going to be a challenge, and we know we'll have to be ready." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Gallagher extended his on-base streak to 29 games
- Shuhet turned in a career day, collecting four hits, including his 11th double and fourth triple of the season, while also recording the 100th hit of his career. 
- Bardatsos added another milestone with the first double of his collegiate career.
- On the mound, Kyle Batt earned the win to move to 3-2 on the season, while Christian Aiello secured his first save of the year with a dominant relief outing.
- Aiello was outstanding in relief, tossing 4.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out 10 of the 16 batters he faced.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider outhit Fairfield, 11-7, behind a four-hit performance from Shuhet. 
- Bardatsos, Anthony Paskell, and Gallagher each added two hits, while Erich Hartmann chipped in one.
- Shuhet and Bardatsos each drove in two runs, with Gallagher and Noah Heath adding an RBI apiece.
- Batt went 5.0 innings in the start, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four. 

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on April 12 for the rubber match of the series, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.