WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Rider baseball team wasted no time setting the tone, scoring in each of the first four innings to power its way to a 14-4 victory over Monmouth on Friday afternoon. The Broncs improve to 23-13 (16-5 MAAC), while the Hawks fall to 23-17 (16-5 CAA).

Rider jumped out in front in the opening frame as Erich Hartmann launched a two-run shot to right-center, giving the Broncs an early 2-0 edge.

The offense stayed hot in the second. Eliot Medlock led off with a single before Peter Crespo roped a double into the gap to put two in scoring position. Matt Leahy followed with a two-run double, and Will Gallagher added another RBI double to extend the lead to 5-0.

Crespo kept the momentum rolling in the third, blasting a two-run homer to center to make it 7-0.

The Broncs continued to pile on in the fourth. Back-to-back walks to Gallagher and Hartmann set the table, and after a fielder's choice and a passed ball moved runners into scoring position. Charley Magoulick delivered with a two-run single to push the advantage to 9-0.

Monmouth got on the board in the fifth with the help of a Rider error and added three more runs in the seventh to cut the deficit to 9-4.

Magoulick answered in the eighth, ripping his fourth hit of the day, a solo homer to right, to make it 10-4.

Rider put the game away in the ninth. Medlock reached on an error and Crespo followed with a base hit before Leahy's sac bunt pushed both into scoring position. Gallagher cashed in with a two-run single, and Hartmann put the finishing touch on the win with a two-run blast, his second long ball of the day, to make it 14-4.

Quotes and Notes
"Erich Hartmann set the tone for us right away in the first inning. I thought we were really consistent at the plate with quality, productive at-bats—it was a total team effort offensively. PJ gave us a strong start, and it was great to see steady outings from Jack and Alex out of the bullpen. Frank came in, threw strikes, and did exactly what we needed. Overall, a solid win against a very good team." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis

- Hartmann launched his sixth homer of the season, notching two on the day, while Crespo added his fourth and Magoulick connected for his team-leading seventh of the year.
- PJ Craig earned the win, improving to 5-2 on the season.
- Medlock tallied his 13th double of the season, Gallagher added his second, Crespo recorded his sixth, and Leahy picked up his fourth. 
- As a team, Rider racked up a season best 17 hits, improving to 21-6 this season when recording 10 or more hits.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider outhit Monmouth, 17-7.
- Magoulick led the way with a four-hit performance, while Crespo added three hits. 
- Hartmann, Gallagher, and Medlock each recorded two hits, and Neri, Paskell, Shuhet, and Leahy chipped in one apiece.
- Hartmann paced the offense with four RBIs, while Gallagher and Magoulick each drove in three. Leahy and Crespo added two RBIs apiece.
- On the mound, Craig tossed 5.1 innings, allowing just three hits and no earned runs while striking out six.
- Frank Papeo, Chris Montone, Jack Ruditzky, and Alex D'Ambrosio all contributed in relief.

Up Next

The Broncs return to action on April 26 for the series finale against Monmouth, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.