Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Broncs advance to NCAA Regional after victory over Fairfield
by Rider Sports Information
The top-seeded Rider University baseball team won its fifth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament Championship on Saturday, May 23, defeating Fairfield 6-1 in the winner-take-all championship game. With the win, the Broncs advance to the NCAA Regional to face the University of Florida on May 29 at 1 p.m.
“Very excited to win, especially after we were unable to hold the lead in the first game,” says Head Coach Barry Davis. “To bounce back less than 30 minutes later in these conditions against a very good and experienced team is a tribute to this team, and PJ was phenomenal. It’s been a long year for these guys, and they’re truly deserving of the accomplishment.”
Senior pitcher PJ Craig was named MAAC Championship MVP after throwing 16 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with 12 strikeouts across two tournament wins.
“We have a great group of guys,” Craig says. “To go through what we’ve all been through and do it together is really incredible.”
Rider rebounded from a 12-7 loss in the opener by building an early lead in the championship game. Senior Anthony Paskell, sophomore Charley Magoulick, junior Nick Shuhet and senior Erich Hartmann contributed key hits, while senior pitcher PJ Craig threw seven shutout innings to help secure the 6-1 victory.
For a full game recap and play-by-play, visit gobroncs.com.