Rider University Men's Baseball

Davis has won the award. Coach               years                W         L          T Clair Bee           1929                 3            2          0 Rex Ellis           1941-42             3         11        1 Paul Ricatto      1946                  4           4          0 John Kelly         1947-52           63         34         2 Carl Nawoj         1953-60          116         38         0 Tom Petroff        1961-70          155         84         3 Sonny Pittaro    1971-2004        766       674         8 Barry Davis        2005-              291       292         0

Rider University Director of Athletics Don Harnum has announced the hiring of Jackie Hartzell as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program in April of 2025. Hartzell becomes the 20th head coach in the history of the program and sixth in the Division I era.   “I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach at Rider University,” said Hartzell. “I want to thank President Dell'Omo, Athletic Director Don Harnum, and Senior Women’s Administrator Karin Torchia for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I look forward to this new and exciting challenge and I can't wait to get started.”   Hartzell comes to Rider from Arcadia University, where she produced an instant turnaround, posting a 54-26 (.675) record over three seasons with a 28-16 (.636) conference mark, and was named the MAC Coach of the Year following the 2024-25 season. In her first season, Hartzell led the women's basketball team to their first MAC postseason victory in program history. In her second season at the helm of the program, Hartzell set a program record for wins and guided the Knights to the team’s first-ever appearance in the conference championship game.   Her time at Arcadia came after a successful eight-season run as head coach at University of the Sciences, where she compiled a 185-57 (.765) record, going 123-28 (.815) against conference opponents, won three CACC Championships, made five NCAA Tournament appearances, and earned five NCAA Division II Tournament victories, highlighted by a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2018.   "The preference going into the search was to attract someone that had successful head coaching experience and strong recruiting ties to the region,” said Harnum. “After speaking to numerous individuals with strong knowledge in women's basketball coaching circles and interviewing several impressive candidates, I am confident we found what we were looking for in Jackie Hartzell. She has a proven track record of supporting student-athlete development, both academically and athletically, while creating a positive environment that produces winning results."   A four-time CACC Coach of the Year, Hartzell was selected as the HERO Sports Women’s Basketball Division II National Coach of the Year following the 2017-18 season and the NCAA East Region Coach of the Year in 2019. Locally, she was selected as the Philadelphia Coaches Conference Collegiate Coach of the Year in 2017 and the City of Basketball Love Coach of the Year in 2022.   Hartzell’s athletes have benefitted from her success with junior Delaney Bell becoming the first player in Arcadia program history to be named MAC Freedom Player of the Year following the 2024-25 season. While at USciences, Hartzell’s team was the NCAA Statistical Champion for scoring defense, holding opponents to just 49.8 points per game for the season.   Additionally, Hartzell’s teams have been equally honored off the court, finishing as a WBCA Academic Top 25 Team for six-straight seasons during her tenure at USciences.   WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JACKIE HARTZELL   Denise Dillon – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Villanova University   “Great hire by Rider!  Jackie is a proven winner, whose dedication to player growth and development translates to success. With her leadership, she and her staff will recruit fierce competitors ready to make an immediate impact in the MAAC."   Mike McLaughlin – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of Pennsylvania   “Jackie Hartzell brings a wealth of head coaching experience and a proven track record of success with her to Rider University. With her strong knowledge of the game combined with her competitive drive, Jackie is the perfect person to lead their women’s basketball program. Looking forward to seeing Jackie excel in this new role! Amazing hire for Rider!”   Amy Mallon - Head Women's Basketball Coach at Drexel University   "I am so excited for Jackie to lead the Rider program. She has certainly has proven to be a winner on and off the court. Jackie’s attention to detail and ability to grow student-athletes to be the best they can be is a key to her overall success. This opportunity is well deserved and I wish her the best of luck on this next step in her basketball journey."   Tom Shirley - Head Women's Basketball Coach at Jefferson University   "I have known Coach Hartzell and competed against her for the past 20 years. She is one of the finest coaches in the sport, always fielding a quality team. Her recruiting and feel for the game are second to none and she will be a terrific role model for current and future members of the Rider women's basketball team. Jackie Hartzell is an outstanding choice."   Dave Pauley - Former Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Sciences   "The game comes easy to Jackie. She is a leader, role model, and a true caretaker of the game who puts student-athletes first. Rider is getting a good one!"  

Lee Lipinski ’16 enters his ninth season on staff and second as head coach for the Broncs during the 2026 season. This is Lipinski’s 14th consecutive year as a member of the Broncs Baseball Program, playing five years and captaining two teams. Lipinski, the 2025 MAAC Coach of the Year, was a part of two regular season championships (2013 & 2015) and played in three MAAC tournaments during his tenure as a player. Lipinski joined the staff for the 2018 season after leading the Broncs to their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament win since 2013. Ahead of the 2025 season, Lipinski was named Interim Head Coach following the resignation of Dr. Barry Davis before the interim tag was removed late during the 2025 season. In Lipinski's first season as head coach, the Broncs exceeded expectations, going 34-18, including a 22-6 mark in MAAC play, sweeping a double header over Fairfield on the final day of the regular season to win the MAAC Regular Season Championship. The Broncs reached the MAAC Championship Game for the fourth time in the last five years. Rider was rewarded for its season, headlined by Joe Tiroly, who was named MAAC Player of the Year on his way to earning ABCA Third-Team All-America honors. Brian Young was named MAAC Pitcher of the Year and Gavin Hawkes was selected as MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year. Lipinski himself was honored as MAAC Coach of the Year.   With Lipinski as hitting coach, the Broncs experienced a power explosion in 2022, led by Brendon O’Donnell’s single-season program-record 20. "Lee is a welcome addition to our coaching staff," Davis said. "As a former captain and five-year player, Lee brings experience of playing in our system, which is vital to reducing the learning curve many others do not have."   Lipinski will have a number of responsibilities. He will work closely with the team's catchers, hitters and coach third base as well as assist with recruiting. He has helped in the development of two All-MAAC players, Joe Simone (First Team OF, 2018) and Riley Mihalik (Second Team 1B, 2019).    As a student-athlete, Lipinski posted a career batting average of .237 thanks to hitting a career-best .291 during the 2017 campaign. He amassed 115 career hits, 14 career homeruns, 80 RBIs, and touted a .706 OPS. Lipinski’s career was highlighted by game winning home runs against Kent State (2015) and VMI (2016). Lipinski threw out 50 runners attempting to steal in his career, highlighted by a career-best and MAAC leading 24 in his final season with the Broncs. He also posted a fielding percentage of .979 in 144 career games.   LEE LIPINSKI RIDER CAREER COACHING RECORD Year Overall MAAC Record 2025 34-18 22-6 TOTALS 34-18 22-6

Head Coach Barry Davis coached his 20th season and final season at Rider University in 2024, announcing his resgnation prior to the 2025 campaign. During his tenure, Davis has transformed the program into a consistent contender in the Metro-Atlantic Conference (MAAC), winning four conference tournament championships, two regular-season championships, and qualifying for 13 conference tournaments. In 2024, the Broncs finished 28-23, and 18-6 in MAAC play, earning the third seed in the MAAC Tournament, and defeating Marist in the opening round before falling to Niagara in the winner's bracket game and Marist in an elimination game. Rider got another signature win over sixth-ranked Duke, marking a second-straight season taking down the ranked Blue Devils. PJ Craig earned First-Team All-MAAC honors on the mound with Joe Tiroly claiming Second-Team All-MAAC honors at second base. Joining Tiroly on the MAAC All-Rookie Team was outfielder Kyle Neri.   The 2023 season was one of unprecedented success. Rider Broncs tied a school record with 36 wins, highlighted by regular season wins on the road over 2022 national runner-up Oklahoma and nationally ranked Duke. The Broncs won their second Liberty Bell Championship and captured its second conference tournament championship in three years. Davis' men would then upset 10th-ranked Coastal Carolina at the NCAA Conway Regional. Team success breeds individual accolades. Danny Kirwin would become Davis' first All-American and Rider's first since 1995. Kirwin would also take home the MAAC Closer of the Year Award. Rider's fourth in Davis' tenure at Rider. Pitcher Frank Doelling and catcher Brian Skettini were named to the conference's 2nd team, while All-Rookie team honors went to pitcher Clayton Poliey. Five players were named to the All-tournament team. They included John Volpe, Luke Lesch, Brian Young, Scott Shaw, and Doelling. Scott Shaw collected the tournament's MVP after his four-hit, six RBI, three home run performance.   Davis owns a 1026 – 693 career record, picking up his 1000th win this past season - a 9-6 over Richmond on March 11. Davis has been a head coach for 34 years, leading three programs at three levels. In his first 11 years, he led Gloucester County College (Rowan College of South Jersey) to unmatched success, followed by four years at NAIA (now Division II) Georgia Southwestern State University. He was named Rider's eighth head coach in July 2004 and has been only Rider's third head coach since 1960.    Since Davis arrived in 2004, Rider has experienced championship-level success mirrored by numerous individual honors. In 2008, led by All-Conference First Team selections Jamie Hayes and Sean Olson and Freshman All-American Mason Heyne, Rider won its first MAAC Baseball Championship, defeating third-seeded Siena 12-5. It was Rider's first conference championship since 1996. The team finished 29-28, participating in the NCAA Regional in Fullerton, California.   The 2010 version of the Broncs saw the emergence of Mike Thomas, who garnered MAAC Pitcher of the Year honors. At the same time, Nick Wojnowski capped off a tremendous season by being named to the All-MAAC second team. Rider finished the regular season in third place, then won its second MAAC Tournament in three years without losing a game by defeating Canisius, 4-2, to advance to the Austin (Texas) regional. It was Rider's second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons. The team set a single-season win record with 36, winning 17 of 20 and their last ten before entering the NCAA Regional.   The 2011 campaign brought several individual accolades. Tyler Smith was named the MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, Nick Crescenzo Rookie of the Year, while Mike Thomas, Brandon Cotten, and Steve Galella were named All-MAAC. The Broncs finished second in the conference and secured a second straight 30-win season with 33. The Oakland Athletics selected Nate Eppley in the 32nd round, and the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Mike Thomas in the 35th round of the MLB Draft.   The 2012 season's mantra was rebuilding; however, the Broncs finished fourth in the conference, securing its fifth straight tournament appearance. Mike Murphy was named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year, Brandon Cotten to the first team for the second consecutive year, and Ian Lindsay picked up his first All-MAAC selection.   The 2013 season was stellar for the Broncs, winning their first outright MAAC Regular Season Championship since entering the league in 1998, finishing with a 35-22 record. Davis was named MAAC Coach of the Year for the second time (first in 2006), Kurt Sowa was named MAAC Pitcher of the Year, Jerry Mulderig, Adam Wayman, Nick Crescenzo, and Tyler Smith All-MAAC.   After missing the MAAC Tournament for the first time in seven years, the 2015 Broncs rebounded with arguably their best team in the Davis Era. Wins against Virginia Tech, St. John's, and Kent State set the stage for a terrific season, including a second MAAC regular season Title, a Liberty Bell Classic Championship, and many individual honors. Davis was named MAAC Coach of the Year for the third time. Eric Thomas was named the conference's closer of the year, and Eric Strano, James Locklear, Zach Mawson, and Greg Fazio were named to the conference's All-MAAC team.   On May 15, 2017, Davis became a member of the 900-win club, defeating in-state rival Monmouth 6-5, helping them secure a birth in the MAAC tournament as the 6th seed. It was the eighth time in the last 11 years that Rider had qualified for the tournament. First-Team All-Conference pitcher Nick Margevicius led the 2017 team to return to the conference tournament after failing to qualify in 2016. The San Diego Padres selected Margevicius in the 7th round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) amateur draft, becoming Rider's 64th player chosen in the MLB Draft, which began in 1965. Margevicius was Davis's sixth Rider player selected in the MLB Draft and the first-ever player to debut in the major leagues. Margevicius is now a member of the Atlanta Braves organization.   On May 28, 2021, a year after the 2020 season was cancelled, Davis' Broncs defeated a 37-win, 2-loss Fairfield University in the MAAC title game, claiming Rider's third-ever MAAC tournament championship—this qualified Rider for their third NCAA regional appearance and Rider's 14th overall. The 2021 version of the Broncs finished third in a conference-only regular season with a 23-18 overall record. In the conference tournament, Rider went 5-0 with wins over Niagara, Monmouth, Canisius, and top-seeded Fairfield. The 2021 Broncs were not without individual accolades. Fifth-year graduate Pete Soporowski and junior infielder David Bermudez were named to the All-MAAC second team. At the same time, freshman catcher Brian Skettini joined the conference's All-Rookie team.   In 2022, the Davis-led Broncs finished 28-26 and competed in the MAAC tournament championship game for the second consecutive year, falling to Canisius. The tournament featured upset wins over Monmouth and number-one-seeded Fairfield. During the regular season, Rider produced quality non-conference wins against VCU (NCAA regional finalist), Georgetown, Penn, and Delaware, and a series win against St. Johns. Brendan O'Donnell was selected to the All-MAAC second team while setting a new Rider single-season home run record with 20. Rider placed three players on the MAAC All-Tournament team: pitchers Joe Papeo, Cal Stalzer, and O'Donnell.   Davis came to Rider from Georgia Southwestern State (GSW) University, where his Hurricanes won 137 games. The 2002 Georgia Alabama Carolina Conference Regular Season Championship squad also produced a 2002 final NAIA ranking of 5th and a university record of 49 wins. Davis was named Georgia Dugout Club Coach of the Year in 2002, and pitcher Paul Bush was named the 2002 NAIA National Pitcher of the Year and drafted in the 22nd round of the 2002 MLB draft.   Before being hired at GSW, Davis had a vast amount of success at Gloucester County College, winning four NJCAA Division III National Championships, amassing 434 wins, and was named National NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year four times. During his tenure at Gloucester, he was named the head coach of the National Junior College U.S.A. National Team in 1999 after spending the 1997 summer as an assistant. Davis subsequently led the U.S. National team to a 4-1 series win against Team Canada in Millington, TN, in 1999.   Davis has successfully developed his assistants and former players into college coaches. Four former assistant coaches and a two former player have found their way into collegiate baseball as head coaches. The list includes Jim Carone (McDaniel), Josh Copskey (Immaculata), and Pat Horvath (Jefferson University), all assistants under Davis at Rider who are now acting college head coaches. Rob Valli, a former assistant at Gloucester County (now Rowan College of South Jersey) in 1997, is currently its head coach. In 2023, his RCSJ team won their eighth DIII Junior College national championship. Mike Petrowski, a 2009 Rider graduate, was hired as the University of North Florida’s new pitching coach after extraordinary success as Rider’s pitching coach. Josh McDonald, a player for Davis at Georgia Southwestern State University, is beginning his sixth season at Southwestern after spending seven seasons at Georgia Southern University. Davis' staff now includes one former Bronc. Lee Lipinski, a 2017 graduate and two-time team MVP, returns for his seventh season as his top assistant and recruiting coordinator.    Davis is a member of four Hall of Fames, beginning with his induction into the Gloucester County College Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and subsequently followed by an induction into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. His alma mater, Bridgewater College, inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2014, and the National Junior College Athletic Association Baseball Coaches enshrined Davis in their Hall of Fame in 2016.   Davis received his bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from Bridgewater College in 1987, his master's degree in Education from Frostburg State University in 1989, and his Ph.D. in Sports Leadership from Concordia University-Chicago in 2019.   Davis resides in Langhorne, PA, with his wife, Brett, and their dog Buddy. BARRY DAVIS RIDER CAREER COACHING RECORD Year Overall MAAC Record 2005 21-29 14-13 2006 25-31 17-10 2007 20-29 11-15 2008 29-28 13-10 $ 2009 26-23 14-10  2010 36-23 15-9 $ 2011 33-18 16-7 2012 22-34 13-11 2013 35-22 18-6 2014 16-33 7-15 2015 28-22 15-6 2016 18-33 10-14 2017 24-28-1 12-12 2018 12-35 7-16 2019 17-36 8-16 2020 6-8 0-0 2021 23-18 18-16 $ 2022 28-26 12-10 2023 36-21 14-7 $ 2024 28-23 18-6 TOTALS 483-520-1 252-209  

On gobroncs.com under baseball coaches

Casey Aubin joined the Broncs as pitching coach in September of 2023. Aubin came from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and was the Penmen pitching coach for the past two seasons. While at Southern New Hampshire, Aubin helped guide the Penmen to two College World Series appearances, including the national semifinals in 2023. In those two years, Aubin led the pitching staff to the top ten rankings in ERA, batting average against, WHIP, strikeouts, and strikeout-to-walk ratio in Division ll. He also mentored Jeff Praml, the D2CCA East Regional Pitcher of the Year, in 2023 and helped guide five additional Penmen to all-region team selections.   Before Southern New Hampshire, Aubin was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Saint Peter's University from 2019-2021. Under Aubin's tutelage, the Saint Peter's pitching staff improved in many statistical categories. The most impressive was the school's record for shutouts in a season. MAAC foes Niagara, Marist, and Monmouth were among those shut outs.   Aubin attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he played four years for the D1 Minutemen. Over those four seasons, he accumulated 57 appearances, and 130.2 innings pitched. During his senior campaign serving as the team's closer, he struck out 31 batters in 27 innings pitched and held opponents to a .161 batting average and an ERA of 1.00. Aubin was 2-0 with five saves in '19.  

Jim Ricci joined Rider as assistant coach in May of 2025. Ricci was previously on staff with Hartzell for the past two seasons at Arcadia, helping the Knights secure a program record for victories in 2023-24 and the program’s first appearance in a conference championship game.   Prior to his time at Arcadia, Ricci spent a season as an assistant at Penn, helping guide the Quakers to a 17-12 record and WNIT bid. Ricci was also with Hartzell for seven seasons at USciences, where the pair compiled a 168-48 record, five CACC South Division Titles, and three CACC Tournament Championships, reaching the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2018.   Ricci also has head coach experience at the high school level, coaching Archbishop Wood for nine years, seven as head coach, including three-straight PIAA 3A state titles between 2010 and 2012. He also coached the St. Matthew’s boy’s team for 24 seasons, amassing a 552-122 record, winning five Philadelphia Archdiocesan City Titles, a Middle Atlantic States Championships and six Philadelphia Region 1 League championships. His teams also made four Pennsylvania State Final Four appearances.  

Scarlett Glasser-Nehls was named Director of Basketball Operations in May of 2025. Glasser-Nehls joins the staff following a five-year playing career at Arcadia with the final three seasons coming under Hartzell. As a player, Glasser-Nehls was just the eighth player in program history to reach 1,000 career points, earning ALL-MAC Freedom Honorable Mention in 2024-25 as a graduate student.   “It’s always special when you are able to have a former player join your coaching staff,” said Hartzell. “Scarlett is a relentless worker and the ultimate competitor. Her attention to detail and organization skills will be a tremendous asset to our coaching staff.”