The Rider Broncs got a good start to its conference season on Friday when the squad took both games of a doubleheader at Canisius on Friday afternoon. The Griffs dropped the first contest 7-5 and the second game 12-8. With the two losses Canisius falls to 13-17 and 5-3 in the MAAC, while the Broncs improve to 8-14 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

GAME ONE:
An early 3-0 lead, forged in the first three innings helped spark Rider to victory as the squad upended the Griffs, 7-5.

Greg Fazio drove in a pair in the top of the first, and a Justin Thomas RBI double in the third gave the Broncs the 3-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the sixth Brett Siddall drove in a pair as the Griffs threatened, but they were unable to come up with the equalizer in the remainder of the inning.

Rider responded in the next half inning, scoring four runs, thanks in large part to a three-run homerun by Thomas, which put Rider back in the driver seat. The seventh inning continued to a busy frame in the home half as the Griffs nearly tied things again as Jack Massa recorded an RBI single and Siddall notched another RBI on a double to centerfield.

That's as close as the Griffs came in the game as the Rider bullpen held Canisius scoreless the rest of the way.

Devon Stewart got the start for Canisius as he went 6.2 innings, allowed eight hits and four earned runs. He struck out three. Zachary Sloan came on in relief and struggled to record an out as he yielded two hits and two earned runs. Brandon Bielecki came on and pitched 2.1 innings of work, and stopped the bleeding as he allowed just one hit in his outing.

Zach Mawson got the start for Rider as he pitched 6.1 innings, allowed 11 hits and five earned runs while Josh Sharik and Eric Thomas combined for 2.2 innings, one hit and held Canisius off the scoresheet.

Jake Lumley sparked the top of the lineup with three hits while Siddall's three RBI led the team. Thomas' three RBI led the Broncs, as James Lockleaer notched three hits in five at bats.

GAME TWO:

Despite a seventh inning rally, Rider took the second game of the twin bill, 12-8 at the Demske Sports Complex. Rider scored two runs in the top of the first and managed to hold on to improve to 8-14 overall and 2-0 in MAAC play. Canisius dropped to 13-17 and 5-3 in conference play.

Offense was at a premium for the Griffs as the squad had just two hits when it entered the eighth inning, down 12-0. Canisius pounded the Rider relief pitchers for eight runs on four hits but it wasn't enough to close the gap.

J.P. Stevenson got the start and pitched 5.2 innings, allowed five hits and three earned runs in the loss. Kurt Sowa started for the Broncs and improved to 2-1 with the win. He shook off early command issues as he pitched six innings, allowed just two hits but surrendered six walks. He struck out eight.

Just Thomas got Rider on the board early with an RBI single and James Locklear scored on a passed ball to make it 2-0 at the end of the first.

The Broncs added three more before a seven run top-of-the seventh opened up a sizeable lead.

The Griffs gave Rider a scare as the squad recorded eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to inch closer to the lead. Jesse Puscheck, John Conti, Tyler Smith, and Ryan Stekl recorded RBI in the inning.

The Griffs look to salvage the series tomorrow afternoon when it hosts Rider for the third and final game of the series at 2 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex.