ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Rider Broncs opened their season with a tense 6-5 victory over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Friday afternoon at Greenwood Baseball Field, overcoming a late rally and defying a shutout projection.

In a game that began under afternoon sun and concluded under evening lights, Rider’s offense produced 12 hits and capitalized on two critical UNC Asheville errors to secure the win. The Bulldogs, who fell to 2-4, managed seven hits but could not complete the comeback after a two-run pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning brought them within one.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the ninth inning. With the score tied 5-5, Rider’s Noah Shuhet led off with a single to left field. Eliot Medlock advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. After a flyout moved Shuhet to third, Matt Leahy delivered a clutch two-out single to center field, driving in the decisive run.

Rider’s pitching was dominant for much of the contest. Starter PJ Craig, the top star for the Broncs, earned the win with five innings of work, allowing three earned runs on no hits with five strikeouts and five walks. Reliever Christian Aiello was overpowering in relief, tossing four hitless innings, surrendering two earned runs and striking out six to earn the save. The duo combined to allow just two hits over the final eight innings to the Bulldogs’ lineup.

UNC Asheville’s offense was powered by the long ball. Chase Klingemann put the Bulldogs on the board with a solo homer in the second inning. Blaize Johnson added a two-run shot in the third. Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, pinch-hitter Tyler Parks connected for a two-run homer to left field, scoring Owen Michelson and cutting the deficit to one run.

Rider built its lead with consistent pressure. Kyle Neri went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including an RBI double in the third and an RBI fielder’s choice in the fifth. Medlock contributed a solo home run in the fourth. The Broncs scored single runs in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth innings, with their sixth run coming on an RBI single by Shuhet in the seventh.

UNC Asheville starter Lucas Boesen took the loss, allowing three earned runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. Bulldogs reliever Drew Turner gave up three runs, two earned, on six hits in 4 1/3 innings of work. Garrett Crum recorded the final out of the ninth for Asheville.

The result contradicted the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 3-0 shutout for UNC Asheville. However, Interstat’s ELO system had given Rider a 64.8% probability to win.

Rider begins the season 1-0. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

UNC Asheville entered the contest having split a four-game series with Saint Bonaventure last weekend before a midweek loss at Tennessee. Rider continues its season with the doubleheader against the Bulldogs before a road trip to Delaware next weekend.