FAIRFIELD, CT – Behind dominant relief pitching from freshmen Dylan Kane and Conner Flynn, the Rider baseball team outlasted Fairfield in a 13-inning thriller, 9-8, to secure the series victory on Sunday afternoon. The Broncs held the Stags scoreless for nine straight innings down the stretch to improve to 19-11 (14-4 MAAC), while Fairfield fell to 15-14 (10-5 MAAC).

Rider jumped out early, as Erich Hartmann launched a solo home run to right in the first inning for a 1-0 lead. Nick Shuhet followed with a solo shot of his own in the second, extending the advantage to 2-0.

Fairfield answered with a seven-run third inning to seize control, 7-2, capitalizing on three Rider errors.

The Broncs began to chip away in the fourth, when Anthony Paskell worked a one-out walk and Charley Magoulick delivered a two-run homer to bring Rider within three. 

Paskell then flashed the leather in the fifth, robbing a home run at the wall to keep the deficit at 7-4.

Rider evened the score in the sixth with a rally sparked by Paskell. After reaching base and later scoring on a daring steal of home, Matt Leahy delivered a clutch two-run single down the right field line to tie the game at 7-7.

From there, the game turned into a pitching duel. Flynn was outstanding out of the bullpen, retiring the first eight batters he faced and keeping Fairfield hitless into the 13th inning.

In the 13th, Rider capitalized. Back-to-back singles from Will Gallagher and Paskell, followed by a wild pitch, put runners in scoring position. Kyle Neri, who was still searching for his first hit of the series, delivered in the biggest moment with a go-ahead two-run single that went over the second basemen's head to give Rider a 9-7 lead.

Fairfield mounted one final push in the bottom half, loading the bases and scoring a run, but the Broncs recorded the final out to seal the 9-8 victory and claim the series.

Quotes and Notes
"The team showed a lot of perseverance today. There were plenty of ups and downs and opportunities where we could've folded, but we didn't.

Our bullpen was outstanding, just tremendous.

Even with the three errors, I thought we still defended well overall.

Offensively, Charlie's home run was huge in getting us back in it after falling behind, and then the big two-out hits. Leahy's two-run single to tie it and Kyle's two-run single were difference-makers. It was a complete team effort, and I'm really proud of how we competed." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Gallagher extended his on-base streak to 30 games, while Hartmann turned in a career day with four hits.
- Hartmann and Shuhet each launched their fourth home run of the season, and Charley Magoulick added his fifth.
- On the mound, Conner Flynn earned his first collegiate victory as part of a seven-pitcher effort.
- Jack Ruditzky earned his first save of the year.
- The Broncs bullpen was dominant, holding Fairfield without a hit from the sixth through the 12th inning.
- With the win, Rider secured its sixth MAAC series victory and remains atop the conference standings.
- The Broncs finished with 13 hits, improving to 18-6 this season when recording 10 or more.-

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider outhit Fairfield, 13-7, behind Hartmann's four-hit performance. 
- Shuhet and Anthony Paskell added two hits apiece, while Gallagher, Neri, Magoulick, Eliot Medlock and Matt Leahy each recorded one.
- Neri, Leahy and Magoulick each drove in two runs, while Hartmann and Shuhet also contributed RBIs.
- Seven Broncs saw action on the mound: Clayton Poliey, Kane, Jake Dorety, Frank Papeo, Chris Montone, Flynn and Jack Ruditzky.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on April 14, traveling to face Seton Hall in a midweek matchup.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.