Entering Friday’s game against Coastal Carolina, Rider University’s baseball program had not won an NCAA Tournament game since 1987. The Broncs had an uphill task in the first game of the Conway Regional, taking on the host, Coastal Carolina. But Rider made it happen, thanks in large part to an incredible game-ending web gem.
The Broncs and Chanticleers went into extra innings tied 9-9. Rider scored a pair of runs in the top half of the tenth inning. But Coastal Carolina fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run and loading the bases with two outs. Chanticleers catcher Caden Bodine hit a ball into center field that looked like it would score the tying and winning runs.
Rider’s Richie Sica had other ideas.
Sica got a good break on the ball, then made a diving grab to secure the victory.
WHAT. A. CATCH!! 🤯
GAME OVER!#RoadToOmaha x 🎥 ESPN+ / @RiderUBaseball pic.twitter.com/COsbwwRZOe
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 3, 2023
Understandably, the Rider team’s Twitter account reacted excitedly to the play.
#SCTop10 #GoBroncs #MAACBaseball https://t.co/g7FhuTX91c
— RiderBaseball (@RiderUBaseball) June 3, 2023
Other baseball fans did, as well.
Richie Sica oh my goodness!!!
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 3, 2023
OH MY GOODNESS – @sica_richie DIVING GRAB IN CF AND @RiderUBaseball HAS STUNNED @CoastalBaseball 11-10 FOR THEIR FIRST NCAA WIN IN 36 YEARS
— Jersey Baseball Nation (@NJCollegeBSBNat) June 3, 2023
What in the name of Sonny Pittaro just happened? Cool story https://t.co/pJzgt0tuE2
— John Manuel (@johnmanuelNC) June 3, 2023
"Ballgame"
Rider wins its first NCAA Tournament win since 1987, getting the final out in style.https://t.co/EAGWNU16NG
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 3, 2023
Friday’s victory did not seal a Regional win for Rider, nor did it eliminate Coastal Carolina. But things are a lot easier for the Broncs than the Chanticleers.
Rider will face Duke on Saturday. The winner of that game will go straight to the Conway Regional Final.
Coastal Carolina, meanwhile, will play UNC Wilmington — who lost to Duke earlier on Friday. The loser of that game will be eliminated, while the winner will face the Rider versus Duke loser for the second spot in the finals.
[NCAA Baseball, Photo Credit: ESPN+]
