HAMDEN, CT – The Rider baseball team broke open a tied game with a five-run eighth inning to defeat Quinnipiac, 9-3, Thursday afternoon in the opening game of the weekend series. With the win, the Broncs moved to 26-16 overall and 18-7 in MAAC play, while the Bobcats dropped to 22-24 (13-12 MAAC).
Rider wasted little time getting on the board in the second inning.
Anthony Paskell and
Charley Magoulick opened the frame with back-to-back singles before
Nick Shuhet drove in the game's first run with an RBI groundout to give the Broncs a 1-0 lead.
PJ Craig was sharp from the start on the mound, retiring the first nine batters he faced and striking out four early. Quinnipiac finally broke through in the fourth inning, using its first hit of the game to even the score at 1-1.
The Bobcats added another run in the fifth to take their first lead of the afternoon at 2-1.
Rider answered immediately in the sixth.
Erich Hartmann reached on a Quinnipiac error before Paskell lined a two-out single into left field. Magoulick followed with an infield single and Shuhet delivered the big hit, driving a two-run single into the gap in right field to put the Broncs back in front, 3-2.
Quinnipiac responded once again in the bottom of the sixth, using a sacrifice fly to even the score at 3-3.
The Broncs broke the game open in the eighth with a five-run frame.
Kyle Neri and Paskell opened the inning with consecutive singles before Shuhet ripped a base hit to left field to load the bases with one out.
Eliot Medlock and
Peter Crespo each drew bases-loaded walks to force in runs and give Rider a 5-3 edge.
Matt Leahy then reached on a fielder's choice as Shuhet raced home, while Medlock later scored on a wild pitch.
Will Gallagher capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 8-3.
Rider added one more insurance run in the ninth on a Shuhet sacrifice fly before
Christian Aiello slammed the door shut, striking out the side in the bottom half to secure the 9-3 win.
Quotes and Notes
"-A much-needed win for us. I thought PJ was outstanding, and Christian did his job to finish it. That five-run eighth inning was a mix of everything offensively, an opposite-field knock, a bunt single, a ground ball, two full-count walks, and a sacrifice fly. That's really good situational hitting and strong plate discipline across the board.
We still have to clean things up and play better baseball tomorrow." - Acting Head Coach Dr. Barry Davis
- Paskell recorded his fifth double of the season.
- Rider totaled 11 hits and improved to 24-6 this season when recording double-digit hits.
- Craig earned the win to improve to 6-3 on the year.
- Magoulick extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider finished with 11 hits.
- Paskell led the offense with a season-high four-hit performance.
- Magoulick, Neri and Shuhet each added two hits, while Hartmann chipped in one.
- Shuhet drove in a game-high four RBI.
- Gallagher, Medlock, Crespo and Leahy each recorded one RBI.
- Craig tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five.
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Christian Aiello worked the final 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, May 8, for a doubleheader against Quinnipiac to close out the series.
First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
