Sacred Heart University lost to Rider University 9–3 in a baseball game played in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., on March 7. Sacred Heart took an early lead but was overtaken by Rider in the later innings.
The game began with Sacred Heart scoring first in the bottom of the second inning when Peter Link singled to left field, allowing Will Rudolph to score. The Pioneers extended their advantage in the third inning as Will Cook doubled through the right side to bring Ryan Rey home, and Rudolph followed with a single that scored Cook. This gave Sacred Heart a 3–0 lead heading into the fourth inning.
Defensively, Sacred Heart made a notable play in the sixth inning when Gavin Donohue started a double play by throwing to Nathan Bowes at home plate, who then threw to Ryan Rey at second base to end the inning. Despite these efforts, Rider responded by scoring runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings and ultimately secured a 9–3 victory.
Top performers for Sacred Heart included Will Rudolph (2-3, RBI, run scored, double), Will Cook (1-3, RBI, run scored, double), Ryan Rey (1-5, run scored), Peter Link (1-3, RBI), Ryan Parker (6 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 3 runs allowed), and Aiden Emrich (1.1 innings pitched without allowing a hit or run).
The Pioneers are scheduled to return to Heritage Financial Park as the home team for another matchup against Rider with a first pitch set for 4 p.m.
