LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider baseball team kept its strong MAAC run rolling Friday afternoon, taking down Manhattan, 8-2, in the series opener at Sonny Pittaro Field. The Broncs improve to 21-12 (15-4 MAAC), while Manhattan falls to 13-21 (6-13 MAAC). 

The Broncs wasted little time getting on the board, pushing across a run in the first inning on a groundout to grab an early 1-0 lead.

Rider added to its advantage in the third, capitalizing on a passed ball before Erich Hartmann lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

The lead continued to grow in the fifth. Nick Shuhet sparked the inning with a leadoff double into the left-center gap, and Charley Magoulick followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

Manhattan broke through in the sixth to trim the deficit, but Rider responded right away in the bottom half. Hartmann laced a one-out single to right field , and Kyle Neri followed by crushing a two-run homer to left to extend the lead to 6-1.

The Broncs added insurance in the seventh, loading the bases and plating two more runs on a fielder's choice and a bases-loaded walk to make it 8-1.

The Jaspers picked up a run in the eighth, but Rider stayed in control the rest of the way to secure the 8-2 victory in the series opener.

Quotes and Notes
"We've been pretty consistent all season. With an older group, they understand our goals and what needs to be done, and that shows in how we play. There are still areas we can improve, but over nine innings we've been steady, and our defense has been solid, which has kept us in a lot of games. PJ gave us a strong outing and really delivered for us today."- Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- The Broncs tallied 14 hits in the win, moving to 19-7 on the season when recording double-digit hits.
- Shuhet collected his team-leading 13th double of the season, while Hartmann added his 11th two-bagger of the year.
- Neri recorded his fifth home run, and Craig earned the win to improve to 3-2 on the season.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider totaled 14 hits in the victory. 
- Hartmann led the offense with a three-hit day. 
- Neri, Shuhet, and Magoulick each finished with two hits, while Will Gallagher, Anthony Paskell, Peter Crespo, and Matt Leahy each added one. 
- Hartmann and Neri both drove in a pair of runs, with Paskell and Magoulick also contributing an RBI apiece.
- Craig delivered 7.2 strong innings in the start, allowing just two runs while striking out six. 
- Frank Papeo and Jack Ruditzky closed things out in relief.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Saturday, April 18, to wrap up the series with Manhattan in a doubleheader. 
First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.