WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Merrimack Warriors and Rider Broncs open the 2026 MAAC Baseball Championship on Thursday afternoon/evening at Dutchess Stadium.

Merrimack (27-27) enters as the seed after a 7-0 shutout of Canisius on Wednesday. Rider (29-17), the seed, swept Saint Peter’s over the weekend, capped by a 12-5 win Saturday.

The Warriors will rely on right-hander James Borsari, who threw four scoreless innings against Canisius, allowing two hits. Borsari has made four starts this month, including a five-inning, three-earned-run outing at Saint Peter’s on May 8. He has struggled with control at times (Interstat) — he gave up seven hits and five earned runs in four innings against Quinnipiac on May 15 (Interstat) — but his ability to limit damage has been key.

Rider counters with left fielder Kyle Neri, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the 12-5 win over Saint Peter’s. Neri has been a consistent run producer, hitting safely in seven of his last eight games. He had two hits and three RBIs in a 26-2 rout of Niagara on May 2, and he drove in at least one run in three of four games against Quinnipiac earlier this month.

Merrimack’s offense has been potent, scoring at least 11 runs in four of its last six games. In the shutout of Canisius, Joe Frammartino went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Colby Barker added 3⅔ innings of one-hit relief.

Rider’s pitching has been solid, as Alex D’Ambrosio threw a scoreless inning in the 12-5 win. The Broncs’ bullpen has been sharp, allowing only three runs in their last two games.

The winner advances in the double-elimination tournament. First pitch is scheduled for [time TBD].