STELA NIAGARA, N.Y. (Interstat) — Rider’s offense erupted for 26 runs on 19 hits Saturday afternoon and evening at Bobo Field, overwhelming Niagara in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game that lasted nine innings. The Broncs improved to 24-15 overall and 13-4 in conference play, while the Purple Eagles dropped to 21-16-1 and 11-7.

The game started with a first-inning barrage that set the tone. Will Gallagher singled, Erich Hartmann singled, and Kyle Neri doubled to left-center for a ground-rule RBI, scoring Gallagher. After a strikeout, Charley Magoulick singled up the middle to drive in Neri and Hartmann. Nick Shuhet then homered to left, plating Magoulick and himself. After two more strikeouts, Peter Crespo homered to left for a solo shot, giving Rider a six-run lead before Niagara had a turn at bat.

Rider added a run in the second on a sacrifice fly by Neri, scoring Gallagher, and another on a Magoulick single that brought home Hartmann after an error. The Broncs stretched the lead in the third, capitalizing on two Niagara errors and a series of walks and hits. Gallagher walked with the bases loaded to force in a run, Hartmann singled to center for two more, and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Paskell scored Gallagher. Shuhet then hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Hartmann. The inning ended with Rider up 13-0.

Niagara got on the board in the bottom of the third. Nate Milk walked, stole second, and after two walks loaded the bases, Rees Kozar singled to second for an RBI. A strikeout ended the inning with the score 13-1.

Rider padded its lead in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fifth, Hartmann doubled, Neri singled, and a sacrifice fly by Paskell scored Hartmann. Shuhet then singled to center to drive in Neri, making it 15-1. The sixth inning was particularly damaging for Rider. With the bases loaded, Gallagher and Leahy scored on a fielder’s choice and throwing error. Magoulick reached on another error, scoring two more. Medlock singled to drive in a run, and Crespo walked to force in another. Leahy walked to force in a run, and a wild pitch scored Medlock. Hartmann then grounded out to first, allowing Crespo to score. By the end of the inning, Rider had pushed the lead to 26-1.

Niagara scored its second run in the bottom of the sixth. Tyler ViVacqua singled, advanced on a passed ball, and scored on a single by Shawn Cameron. Rider added no further runs after the sixth, but the damage was done. The Broncs’ pitching staff performed exceptionally. Starter Kyle Batt tossed five innings, allowing no hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. Chris Montone relieved him and threw four innings, also yielding no hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. Despite the two runs, Batt and Montone combined for a no-hitter, as all eight Niagara hits were recorded against other pitchers—though none were used. The stat lines provided indicate Batt and Montone accounted for all nine innings without allowing a hit.

Offensive leaders for Rider included Magoulick, who went 4-for-5 with four RBIs; Hartmann, 3-for-5 with three RBIs; Shuhet, 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs; Neri, 2-for-4 with three RBIs; Gallagher, 2-for-5 with two RBIs; and Crespo, 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs. For Niagara, Ethan McNish-Heider and John Ondus each threw two innings, allowing two hits and one earned run with three and two strikeouts, respectively.

The game was a stark contrast to Friday’s series opener, which Niagara won 12-3. Rider’s rebound came after a stretch of inconsistent play, including a 2-12 loss to Monmouth on April 26. The Broncs now turn their attention to the series finale Sunday afternoon. Niagara, meanwhile, looks to split the weekend series and maintain its winning record.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected an 8-7 Rider victory, and its ELO system gave the Broncs a 56.90 percent probability to win.