Credit: GR Productions
Pirates Losing Streak Rolls On After One Run Loss to Rider at Home
Published: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
by Maggie Fournier
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (11-17, 0-6) fell to Rider Broncs (20-11, 14-4) by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday, extending their losing streak to eight.
The Pirates started the game off strong against Rider, with starting pitcher Jayden Barroquiero allowing only one runner on base. Coming out of the gates hot is what was needed against Rider as they are known for starting off incredibly strong offensively to build up a large lead.
In his first at bat, Seton Hall's Ty Acker was hit in the head by a pitch, where he went to the ground and took a moment to get back up. He left the field under his own power. Shea Grady came in to pinch run for him at first base. Despite this, the first inning of the game was scoreless on both sides.
Barroquiero was off to a very strong start pitching, but ended up being pulled for Matt Pontari, which seemed unusual as Barroquiero had made no major errors. To match the pitching change made by Seton Hall, Rider subbed in Jake Dorety to pitch, signaling the game would soon turn into a bullpen battle.
The first run scored of the game was scored in the bottom of the second by the Pirates’ very own Magnus Kreiger after a bobble by Rider’s third baseman allowed him to scamper home.
The third inning was scoreless for both teams, but after a struggle on the mound for Pontari that loaded the bases and resulted in an RBI for Anthony Paskell of Rider, Seton Hall switched pitchers again, trading Pontari for John Donahue. Donahue came in to do damage control for the Pirates preventing any more runs and leaving the score tied 1-1.
Donahue had a solid fifth inning but was switched out for Ryan Reich with one out left in the inning. No runs were scored by Rider in the top of the fifth. To match the Seton Hall pitcher switch, Rider pulled Dorety for Jack Ruditsky, proving that this game was really a battle of the bullpens. The sixth inning was uneventful except for another Rider pitching change, bringing in Frank Papeo.
The seventh inning was where the Pirates began to fall apart. A dropped ball from Jake Lopez in right field led to a two-run RBI that was hit by Nick Shuhet, which brought Eric Hartmann and AJ Labrusciano home to bring Rider into the lead, 3-2. The bottom of the seventh left the Pirates without an offensive response with Noah Heath now pitching for Rider striking out Gabe Cavazzoni and Ryan Frontera.
In the eighth inning, the Pirates brought in Aiden Dill as a pinch hitter. Dill currently leads the BIG EAST in stolen bases, stealing 21 out of 23 attempts. This was more than likely intended to get a man on base who is capable of stealing bases and getting themselves in scoring position.
Dill proved why he was used as he reached third base off of a bunt on an incredible play, getting himself into scoring position. However, on a pop fly from Magnus Kreiger, Dill forced himself home and got out, leading to the Hall missing their opportunity to tie the game. This opportunity would be their last, as they could not manufacture any offense in the final frame.
Following the loss, Seton Hall now welcomes in BIG EAST foe Xavier for a three-game weekend series, with game one set for Friday at 4 p.m.
Maggie Fournier can be reached at madeline.fournier@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,