Rider at Monmouth Preview

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Interstat) — The Rider Broncs and Monmouth Hawks open a three-game weekend series Friday afternoon at Monmouth Baseball Field, with first pitch scheduled for later in the day under clear skies and a forecasted temperature of 68 degrees.

Rider enters the game with a 21-13 record, while Monmouth sits at 23-16. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 final score in favor of the Hawks, though the outlet’s ELO system gives Rider a 52.20 percent probability of winning.

The Broncs are coming off a 6-4 loss to Manhattan on April 18. In that defeat, right-hander Christian Aiello threw three innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out four. Aiello has been a dominant force recently; over his last four appearances, he has posted 12 2/3 scoreless innings, including a 10-strikeout performance across four hitless innings against Fairfield on April 11. For the season, the Rider bullpen arm owns a 1.62 ERA and a 4-0 record over his last six outings.

Monmouth counters with right-hander Nick Tamburro, who threw five shutout innings in the Hawks’ 6-5 win over Seton Hall on Wednesday. Tamburro allowed four hits and struck out one in that outing. He has allowed one earned run over his last 9 2/3 innings. The Hawks are riding momentum from that win, part of a stretch that has seen them take three of their last five.

Monmouth’s lineup features Nick Lovarco, who homered twice and drove in two runs against Seton Hall. The Hawks are 6-4 over their last 10 games, while Rider is 5-5 in that same span.

The teams continue the series Saturday and Sunday.