PRINCETON, NJ - The Rider baseball team battled back from a 9-0 deficit through five innings, scoring nine unanswered runs across the sixth and seventh to tie the game, but ultimately fell 10-9 at Princeton on Wednesday afternoon. The Broncs drop to 20-12 (14-4 MAAC), while the Tigers improve to 10-21 (4-8 Ivy).

Princeton jumped out early, scoring in the first inning before adding four runs in the third to build a 5-0 lead. A run in the fourth made it 6-0, and a three-run homer in the fifth extended the advantage to 9-0.

Rider was limited to just one hit through the first five innings before breaking through in the sixth. Will Gallagher drew a leadoff walk, and Kyle Neri followed with a one-out RBI triple to right-center to get the Broncs on the board. Anthony Paskell kept the momentum going with an RBI double to center, and pinch hitter Peter Crespo delivered the big swing with a two-run home run to right, trimming the deficit to 9-4.

The rally continued in the seventh as Rider erupted for five runs on five hits. Back-to-back one-out singles from Gallagher and Neri sparked the inning, and Crespo worked a two-out walk to load the bases. Charley Magoulick drove in two with a double down the left field line to make it 9-6, and Eliot Medlock followed by ripping a two-run double to the same spot in left, pulling Rider within one. Demetri Bardatsos capped the rally, driving in Medlock with a single up the middle to tie the game at 9-9.

Princeton answered in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run to regain a 10-9 lead.
Rider put the tying run on base in the ninth but was unable to complete the comeback, as Princeton held on for the one-run victory.

Quotes and Notes
"We didn't quit, and we battled throughout. We had two big innings that got us back into it, and Crespo's two-run home run was a key moment for us. Charley and Eliot also delivered with big two-out doubles to help spark the comeback. Being able to fight back from a 9-0 deficit and turn it into a competitive game is encouraging to see. Now we turn our focus to Manhattan this weekend in a big series, and it's one we need to play well in." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Medlock notched his 11th double of the season, recording a pair of doubles on the day.
- Magoulick added his sixth double of the year, while Paskell tallied his third, and Gallagher recorded his first. 
- Crespo launched his third home run of the season, and Neri collected his first triple of the year. 
- Conner Flynn was charged with the loss on the mound.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider totaled 12 hits in the loss, with Neri and Crespo leading the way with two hits apiece. Gallagher, Hartmann, Paskell, Magoulick, and Bardatsos each added a hit. 
- Crespo, Magoulick, and Medlock drove in two runs each, while Neri, Paskell, and Bardatsos recorded an RBI.
- The Broncs used eight pitchers in the bullpen game, as Alex D'Ambrosio, Clayton Poliey, Jared Greenzang, Dylan Kane, Jack Ruditzky, Lucas Garton, Frank Papeo, and Conner Flynn all saw time on the mound.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action on April 17, hosting Manhattan at Sonny Pittaro Field for the start of a three-game weekend series.
First pitch is set for 3 p.m.