Rider University’s baseball squad captured its fifth MAAC Tournament championship on Tuesday, edging Fairfield 6‑1 in a winner‑take‑all contest.
The victory marks the culmination of a tournament that began with a 12‑7 setback, after which the team rallied to build an early lead and never looked back.
Head Coach Barry Davis praised the team’s resilience, noting that the players embraced the challenge and turned adversity into opportunity.
MVP Pitcher PJ Craig Leads the Charge
Senior right‑hander PJ Craig was named Most Valuable Player after delivering 16 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out 12 batters.
His seven‑inning, shutout outing in the championship game underscored his dominance and helped seal the 6‑1 win.
Craig highlighted the collective effort, saying the team’s unity and shared journey made the triumph special.
The championship earns Rider a spot in the NCAA Regional, where they will open against the University of Florida on May 29 at 1 p.m.
Key contributors in the final included Anthony Paskell, Charley Magoulick, Nick Shuhet and Erich Hartmann, whose performances helped sustain the early advantage.
Coach Davis expressed excitement about the upcoming matchup, emphasizing that the team is eager to test its mettle against a storied program.