FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Lee Lipinski's grand slam in the third inning was all Rider really needed as the Stags stranded six base runners in the final four innings and fell 6-3 in their MAAC opening game. The Stags cut their deficit in half in the seventh and had the bases loaded, but Josh Sharik converted his 3-2 offering to strike out the Stags and end the big threat.

In his first career game out of the clean up spot, Kevin Radziewicz drove in the game's first run as he bounced the ball through the left side, scoring Drew Arciuolo, who had stolen second and reached third on a throwing error.

The first three base runners reached base for Rider (6-17, 1-3 MAAC) in the third setting up what would be the biggest blast of the game. Lipinski waited on the 3-2 pitch and drilled the ball over the Stag logo in left field for his second home run of the season.

That at-bat ruined an otherwise bright start for John Signore who finished with a career-high seven strikeouts in his 6.2 innings while also allowing six earned runs. The problem for Signore in that third inning came from finishing off hitters. Of the five hits in the frame (including the grand slam), four came with two strikes on the hitter.

The Broncs got two more runs in the seventh, but Fairfield (7-14, 0-1 MAAC) rallied after the stretch, with two runs of their own. Arciuolo singled home a run with the bases loaded and Troy Scocca beat out a double play ball to scratch across another. Jake Salpietro followed with a walk to regain the bases loaded threat, but Sharik would produce an infield fly and a strikeout to give Rider all the energy and momentum.

The home side got one runner on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but could not take advantage.

Peter Horn and Jake Binder combined to throw 2.1 scoreless innings out of the pen, while allowing just two base runners.

On the offensive side, Tim Zeng led the charge with three hits while Arciuolo and Salpietro chipping in two hits apiece. Salpietro reached base four times, drawing two of the three walks Rider allowed.

The Stags are back in action on Saturday as the two teams conclude the MAAC opening series with a doubleheader starting at noon.