March 18, 2003

Homestead, Fla. - Mike Russo smashed a two-run home in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game at five and force extra innings, but Rider rallied for two runs in the top of the 11th to earn a 7-6 win over Stony Brook in Homestead, Florida Tuesday afternoon.

Rider jumped out to a 4-0 lead, scoring a single run in the first and putting together at three-run inning in the third. SB cut the lead to 4-1 in the fourth and two innings later Russo scored on a wild pitch and Garrett Renner hit a sacrifice fly that plated Andrew Larsen to draw the Seawolves within 4-3.

The Broncs extended the lead to 5-3 with a run in the top of the seventh and the game stayed that way until the ninth. In the bottom of the inning, Russo took a Rider offering and belted a two-run homer, his third of the season and second of the Florida trip, to knot the game at five.

The Broncs scored a pair of runs in the 11th off losing pitcher John Fitzgerald (0-1). Fitzgerald walked home the go-ahead run and a single scored another for a 7-5 Rider lead.

Kevin Solano scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the inning, but the Seawolves came up short as they fell to 4-4 on the season.

Stony Brook will be in action tomorrow when it takes on Big East powerhouse Miami Wednesday evening. First pitch is 7 p.m.