HAMDEN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Rider Broncs erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to break a tie and defeat the Quinnipiac Bobcats 9-3 on Thursday afternoon at Quinnipiac Baseball Field in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game.

Rider improved to 25-16 overall and 14-7 in the MAAC with the win, while Quinnipiac fell to 22-24 and 11-11. The Broncs outhit the Bobcats 11-9.

PJ Craig started on the mound for Rider and worked into the eighth inning. Andrew Rubayo started for Quinnipiac and was replaced after the seventh. Christian Aiello relieved Craig in the eighth and closed out the game. Nick Shuhet keyed the Rider offense with multiple run-scoring hits, and Anthony Paskell reached base three times and scored three runs. For Quinnipiac, Christian Smith tripled and scored, Alex Irizarry drove in a run, and J.C. Franconere pitched in relief.

The game remained scoreless through the first inning. Rider struck first in the second inning. Anthony Paskell singled, advanced to third on a single by C. Magoulic, and scored on a groundout by Nick Shuhet for a 1-0 lead.

Quinnipiac tied the game in the fourth inning. Kyle Garbowski singled, Christian Smith singled, and Alex Irizarry singled to right field, driving in Garbowski. The Bobcats took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning. Cole Constable singled, advanced on a walk, and scored on a single by Caden Will.

Rider answered in the sixth inning. With two outs, Hartmann reached on an error, and Paskell singled. Magoulic singled to load the bases, and Shuhet singled to right field, driving in two runs and giving Rider a 3-2 lead. Quinnipiac tied it again in the bottom of the sixth when Christian Smith tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Irizarry.

The decisive rally came in the eighth inning. With one out, Neri singled, Paskell singled, and Magoulic flied out. Shuhet singled to load the bases, and Medlock walked to force in a run. Crespo walked, forcing in another run. Leahy reached on a fielder’s choice, driving in a run. A wild pitch brought home another run, and Gallagher hit a sacrifice fly to cap the five-run inning.

Rider added an insurance run in the ninth inning. Neri singled, Paskell doubled, and Shuhet hit a sacrifice fly.

Rider and Quinnipiac are scheduled to play again Friday and Monday in Hamden. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Quinnipiac 7, Rider 6, while the Interstat ELO system gave Rider a 56.20 percent probability to win.