Baseball News

The final 2006 NCAA Div. III baseball poll was released June 2. To view the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Div. III poll, see:
Div. III poll

Rutgers-Camden's Morris earns
Third Team Mid-Atlantic All-Region

CAMDEN - It was quite a season for Rutgers University-Camden left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) this year, and the junior outfielder is still reaping the rewards for his performance.

Morris was named to the 2006 Mid-Atlantic All-Region NCAA Division III American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Star Third Team May 22. It is the latest honor in a line of post-season awards for Morris, who also was to the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III Second Team and was honored with a berth on the New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team earlier this month.

Morris had a breakout season with the Scarlet Raptors during his junior year. Playing in all 37 Rutgers-Camden games, and starting 35, he hit .380 with 27 runs and 13 doubles, one shy of the single-season school record. He led the Raptors with 34 RBIs, four triples and four home runs and also had a 14-game hitting streak during the year.

Morris hit .388 in NJAC games (the fourth-highest average in the conference) with a .672 slugging percentage (third highest). He was tied for second in NJAC games with three triples and was tied for fourth with 45 total bases.

Along the way, Morris had numerous big games, including a huge performance in a 3-2 12-inning win over No. 3-ranked The College of New Jersey April 13. He threw out the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the 12th inning and collected a game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the frame.

On Feb. 25, Morris had five RBIs in a win over John Jay College. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 7-5 victory over Occidental College March 19. His two-out game-tying single in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Raptors to rally for a 10-inning win over FDU-Florham April 4, and he hit a home run in each game of a doubleheader sweep over New Jersey City University April 24. That doubleheader started a six-game season-ending stretch in which Morris went 9-for-22 (.409) and slugged .955, collecting two doubles, two triples and two home runs over that span. He had seven RBIs, eight runs and two walks in those six games.

Morris, Ford, Gladden, Faulls
earn All-NJCBA baseball honors

CAMDEN - Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and senior pitcher Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) were among four Rutgers University-Camden players honored when the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association announced its Division II/III All-State teams May 17.

Morris and Ford both were honored on the NJCBA Div. II/III Second Team All-State, while sophomore pitcher John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) was named NJCBA Honorable Mention and freshman Pat Faulls (Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland Regional) was named to the All-Rookie Team.

Mike Morris

Morris, who earlier this month was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team, had a breakout season with the Scarlet Raptors during his junior year. Playing in all 37 Rutgers-Camden games, and starting 35, he hit .380 with 27 runs and 13 doubles, one shy of the single-season school record. He led the Raptors with 34 RBIs, four triples and four home runs and also had a 14-game hitting streak during the year.

Morris hit .388 in NJAC games (the fourth-highest average in the conference) with a .672 slugging percentage (third highest). He was tied for second in NJAC games with three triples and was tied for fourth with 45 total bases.

Along the way, Morris had numerous big games, including a huge performance in a 3-2 12-inning win over No. 3-ranked The College of New Jersey April 13. He threw out the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the 12th inning and collected a game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the frame.

On Feb. 25, Morris had five RBIs in a win over John Jay College. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 7-5 victory over Occidental College March 19. His two-out game-tying single in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Raptors to rally for a 10-inning win over FDU-Florham April 4, and he hit a home run in each game of a doubleheader sweep over New Jersey City University April 24. That doubleheader started a six-game season-ending stretch in which Morris went 9-for-22 (.409) and slugged .955, collecting two doubles, two triples and two home runs over that span. He had seven RBIs, eight runs and two walks in those six games.

Tom Ford

Despite being slowed late in the season by a sore arm, Ford posted a 6-1 record and a 3.23 ERA, striking out 35 and walking only 10 in 61.1 innings. After winning his first two decisions, he was named NJAC Pitcher of the Week for March 6, and he added the NJCBA Div. II/III Pitcher of the Week the next day.

After not pitching since April 15 due to arm problems, he hurled a complete game in a 5-3 win over Kean University in the opening game of an April 29 doubleheader, keeping the Scarlet Raptors' hopes alive for a post-season NJAC tournament berth until Rutgers-Camden lost the nightcap. He allowed only one earned run in that game, which was his final career outing.

Ford finished his career with a 12-9 record and an outstanding 3.19 ERA, the second-lowest ERA at Rutgers-Camden in the aluminum bat era (Matt Ulmer had a 2.75 ERA from 2002-05) and the sixth-lowest overall. In 186 career innings, he struck out 124 batters and walked only 35 for a phenomenal average of one walk every 5.3 innings and a strikeout-to-walks ratio of 3.5:1. He finished fourth on the career list for innings pitched and tied for seventh in wins.

John Gladden

Gladden blossomed into one of the top relievers on the Scarlet Raptors this spring, posting a team-leading 2.18 ERA, a 1-1 record and a team-high three saves in 20.2 innings. He struck out 14 and walked five in 11 appearances. His first collegiate win came with a sterling 3.2-inning shutout stint in a 12-inning 3-2 win over The College of New Jersey April 13. TCNJ was ranked No. 3 nationally at the time and is now No. 1 entering post-season play.

Pat Faulls

Faulls made 13 appearances in his rookie season, going 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in 21 innings and collecting one save. His win came with 3.2 innings of relief work in a 6-2 victory at Ramapo April 1. He earned his save against Chapman College, ranked No. 4 nationally at the time, on March 16, working 2/3-innings with one strikeout in a 3-2 Raptor win.

Morris leads six Scarlet Raptors
on all-NJAC baseball teams

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), who had a breakout season during his junior year, was named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team May 4 when the NJAC announced its all-conference baseball team.

Morris was one of six Scarlet Raptors recognized by voting of the NJAC coaches. Honored as All-NJAC Second Team players were Rutgers-Camden senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), who earned a spot as a utility player.

Earning All-NJAC Honorable Mention were junior pitcher Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional), senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic).

Mike Morris

After playing in 44 games as a part-time player during his first two seasons at Rutgers-Camden, Morris earned the job as the Raptors' starting left fielder this season and he blossomed into one of the top hitters in the conference. Playing in all 37 Rutgers-Camden games, and starting 35, he hit .380 with 27 runs and 13 doubles, one shy of the single-season school record. He led the Raptors with 34 RBIs, four triples and four home runs.

Morris hit .388 in NJAC games (the fourth-highest average in the conference) with a .672 slugging percentage (third highest). He was tied for second in NJAC games with three triples and was tied for fourth with 45 total bases.

Along the way, Morris had numerous big games, including a huge performance in a 3-2 12-inning win over No. 3-ranked The College of New Jersey April 13. He threw out the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the 12th inning and collected a game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the frame.

On Feb. 25, Morris had five RBIs in a win over John Jay College. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a 7-5 victory over Occidental College March 19. His two-out game-tying single in the bottom of the ninth allowed the Raptors to rally for a 10-inning win over FDU-Florham April 4, and he hit a home run in each game of a doubleheader sweep over New Jersey City University April 24. That doubleheader started a six-game season-ending stretch in which Morris went 9-for-22 (.409) and slugged .955, collecting two doubles, two triples and two home runs over that span. He had seven RBIs, eight runs and two walks in those six games.

Brian Jakubowski

Jakubowski earned NJAC Second Team honors this season after making the NJAC First Team in 2005. He also earned New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III Third Team honors last year and was the NJCBA's Div. II/III Player of the Week this season on April 4.

Jakubowski finished his season with a .344 batting average, 32 runs, 22 RBIs and 21 walks. He set a single-season record with 117 assists (breaking his own mark of 111 set in 2004) and finished with a career-record 328 assists. He turned 56 career double plays (second on the program's all-time list) and also tied the program's single-season mark with 25 double plays this year, including a single-game record four twin-killings in the first game of an April 1 doubleheader against Ramapo College.

A transfer from West Chester University, Jakubowski finished his three-year Raptor career recording three of the top four single-season assist totals in program history. In 111 career games at Rutgers-Camden, he collected 130 hits (sixth all-time) and compiled a .310 batting average. He scored 93 career runs, including 45 in 2005 for the second-highest single-season total in program history. His 69 walks are tied for second on the program's career list.

Jakubowski hit the lone home run of his career April 29, a two-run shot that gave the Raptors a 5-3 win over Kean University in the opening game of a doubleheader.

Nick Turekian

Turekian, an outstanding defensive catcher who also has played in the outfield for the Scarlet Raptors, captured his first All-NJAC honors after batting .248 with 33 RBIs, three home runs, 11 doubles and 25 runs scored. In 123 career games (sixth on the program's career list), he notched 103 hits (tied for 12th) and 28 doubles (tied for fifth).

Turekian also finished third on the Rutgers-Camden career list with 550 putouts. He was second on the Raptors this season with 187 putouts.

During his junior season, Turekian led all New Jersey Athletic Conference catchers with four pickoffs, despite catching in only half of the Raptors' games. He also led all NJAC catchers in the percentage of runners caught stealing, throwing out 16 of 32 runners (50 percent). This season he threw out 13 runners attempting to steal, the second-highest total among all NJAC catchers (one behind the leader).

Among Turekian's offensive highlights this season was a game-winning double in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat 19th-ranked DeSales University, 4-3, March 25. On April 4, he hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the 10th and scored the winning run on a double by Joe Midili to beat FDU-Florham, 7-6. He had four RBIs in a 10-5 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College March 21 and he collected an RBI single for his 100th career hit in the opening game of an April 29 doubleheader against Kean.

Tyler Inkster

Inkster played in 133 games during his four-years at Rutgers-Camden (third on the career list). He collected 104 hits (tied for eighth), 22 doubles (tied for 7th) and 65 walks (fourth). He also finished a close second on the all-time career list with 322 assists, six behind teammate Jakubowski. Inkster is the only player in school history, besides Jakubowski, to record a 100-assist season, notching 110 last year for the third-highest single-season total. He also finished his career turning 34 double plays (tied for fifth on the career list).

This season Inkster hit .289 with 23 runs, 16 RBIs and a team-leading 26 walks. He was second on the club with 77 assists. On Feb. 25, he tied a single-game program mark with a pair of sacrifice flies against John Jay College. He finished his career with eight sacrifice flies, tied for second on the program list.

Inkster ripped a grand slam and had six RBIs against Occidental March 13, 2005. He hit for the cycle with four RBIs, three runs and 10 total bases against Richard Stockton College April 16, 2003.

During his freshman year, Inkster was named to the All-New Jersey Athletic Conference First Team as a utility player. He also added All-ECAC Division III Metro Second Team honors.

Nick Faragasso

Faragasso, an infielder who was used primarily as a second baseman at Rutgers-Camden, hit .283 with 18 runs, 32 RBIs (third on the team), eight doubles, two triples and two home runs this season. He came to Rutgers-Camden after two outstanding seasons at the University of New Haven, a Division II powerhouse in New Haven, Connecticut. In two years with the Raptors, he played in 71 games, hitting .282 with 38 runs and 61 RBIs.

Faragasso was an impact player from the start at Rutgers-Camden, collecting one RBI in each of his four plate appearances against Albright College in his first game as a Scarlet Raptor (March 7, 2005). He earned the school's Raptor of the Week honor for March 14, 2005 after opening the season with a four-game hitting streak (10-for-16, .625), which included three doubles, three runs and eight RBIs.

Faragasso tied a single-game program record with three doubles in a huge performance against Franklin & Marshall College March 31, 2005. He went 4-for-6 with two runs and four RBIs that day.

This season he went 3-for-6 with three runs and a grand slam in the opening game of a doubleheader at Ramapo April 1.

Jason Ronca

Ronca had another fine season this spring, continuing his development into one of the top pitchers in the NJAC. He went 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in a team-high 63 innings, allowing 58 hits and 25 walks, while striking out 63. His performance comes on the heels of a sophomore season which saw him post a 5-3 record and a 3.08 ERA in 49.2 innings.

Ronca owns an 8-4 record and a 3.66 career ERA in 125.1 innings at Rutgers-Camden.

Ronca threw a complete game 9-2 victory over Richard Stockton College, allowing seven hits, two earned runs and three walks. He struck out nine. That victory earned him honors on April 10 as the NJAC Pitcher of the Week. He added the ECAC Metro Division III Pitcher of the Week honor the next day.

Perhaps Ronca's best game of the year came April 13 in an outstanding start against The College of New Jersey, the nation's third-ranked team at that time (TCNJ is now ranked No. 1). He worked 8.1 innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and one walk, while striking out nine. He shut out the hard-hitting Lions for eight innings and didn't get a decision as the Raptors won in 12 innings.

Kean clinches NJAC playoff berth
while eliminating Rutgers-Camden

GLASSBORO - The Kean University baseball team pounded out 16 hits here April 29 to win the second game of a doubleheader, 10-4, clinching a berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs and eliminating Rutgers University-Camden from the six-team post-season tournament. The games were held at Rowan University since the Raptors' home park, Campbell's Field, was being used for the Camden Riversharks.

The Scarlet Raptors won the first game, 5-3, behind the eight-hit pitching of senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI), forcing the winner-take-all game for a berth in the NJAC playoffs. With its victory, Kean climbed to 27-13 overall and 11-7 in the NJAC. The Cougars will play their NJAC tournament opener Wednesday at a campus site to be determined. The tournament moves to Camden's Campbell's Field beginning Friday.

Rutgers-Camden closes its season at 22-15 overall and 9-9 in the NJAC.

After Rutgers-Camden had won the opening game on an eight-hitter by senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI), Kean jumped to a 1-0 first-inning lead and was never threatened in the nightcap. The Cougars opened the game with a single to center field by sophomore second baseman Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, NJ/Barringer). He was sacrificed to second by sophomore left fielder Erik Ammirata (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) and advanced to third on a balk. He scored on a ground out by junior center fielder Joseph D'Andrea (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert).

Kean added four runs on five hits in the third inning, including RBI singles by D'Andrea and junior first baseman Aaron Richard (Plainfield, NJ/St. Joseph's). The Cougars capped the inning with a two-run single by junior shortstop Perry Schatzow (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township).

Kean's three-run fifth inning featured four hits and an error, with Schatzow and sophomore third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) collecting RBI singles. Another run scored on a ground out by sophomore catcher Kevin O'Neill (Union, NJ/Union).

For the game, Schatzow went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a two-run single in the sixth inning. Richard als0 went 3-for-5, while scoring three runs. Shymanski was 2-for-4 with three runs.

Junior right-hander Daniel Zeffiro (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) worked seven innings to collect the win, raising his record to 5-4. He allowed seven hits, two earned runs and one walk, while striking out two.

Rutgers-Camden collected 11 hits in the losing effort, including two apiece by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Morris had one double and Buchter had two. Buchter finished the season with 14 two-baggers, tying the school record set by Ricky Flores in 2002. Morris had 13 doubles on the year.

In the opener, Ford raised his record to 6-1 and senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) ripped a tie-breaking two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the Scarlet Raptors.

Kean took a quick 1-0 lead in the first following a leadoff double by De La Rosa. Ammirata laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the Raptors unsuccessfully made a play for third base, leaving runners at the corners with no outs. A single by D'Andrea knocked home one run and the Cougars loaded the bases on a hit batsman. The turning point of the game came on the next play, when Richard hit a sinking liner to center field that was caught on a diving play by Buchter. The Raptors collected a double play when it was ruled that Ammirata left the bag early on the tag, and Rutgers-Camden escaped further damage with a pop out.

The Raptors came back with two runs in the bottom of the first after back-to-back one-out singles by sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and Buchter. Morris plated both runs with a two-out, wind-blown double to left.

The Scarlet Raptors added another run in the fourth after a leadoff triple to center by Morris. He scored when Turekian drove a 3-0 pitch into right field for his 100th career hit.

Kean tied the game in the top of the seventh after Clark and O'Neill poked one out singles. Following a fielder's choice, two runs scored on a dropped fly ball in right field.

The Raptors got those runs back in the seventh following a leadoff single by junior designated hitter Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). Jakubowski ripped a home run to right, scoring himself and pinch-runner Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast).

Ford allowed three runs (one earned) and eight hits in his complete game. He struck out one and didn't walk a batter.

Freshman Nick Cesare (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) lost his first game of the season. Cesare, 4-1, hurled a complete game with 11 hits, two walks and five earned runs. He struck out seven.

De La Rosa and D'Andrea each had two hits for the Cougars.

Ambrozy, Morris and Turekian had two hits apiece for the Scarlet Raptors.

Loss at Paterson leaves Rutgers-Camden
in do-or-die situation in NJAC playoff race

WAYNE - The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team's hopes of making the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament reached a critical level here Friday as the Scarlet Raptors dropped a 6-1 decision against William Paterson University.

With the loss, the Raptors fall to 21-14 overall and 8-8 in the NJAC, meaning they must either sweep Kean University tomorrow in a noon doubleheader at Rowan University, or have Rowan lose one more game at New Jersey City than the Raptors lose to Kean. Both Rowan and Rutgers-Camden are tied for the last playoff berth, with Rowan holding the tie-breaker by virtue of a head-to-head sweep.

Saturday's games against Kean will be played at Rowan University since the Raptors' home park, Campbell's Field, is being used for a Camden Riversharks game.

In Friday's loss, junior righty Mike Irwin (North Haledon, NJ/Manchester Regional) allowed three hits and one run in seven innings and junior first baseman Ted King (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro South) finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs as William Paterson secured a spot in next week's NJAC tournament.

Irwin (4-1) struck out five and walked three for the Pioneers, who improve to 24-11 overall and 11-4 in the NJAC.

Senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) went 2-for-4 and scored the lone run for Rutgers-Camden, which managed just four hits off Irwin and Pioneer freshman reliever Dan VandeVrede (Pequannock, NJ/Pequannock), who tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth.

Both teams traded runs in the first two innings - King lofted a sacrifice fly in the first for the Pioneers, then sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) smacked a run-scoring hit for the Scarlet Raptors.

William Paterson scored twice in the third and did not look back. Sophomore shortstop Dan Limone (Teaneck, NJ/Teaneck) and junior center fielder Rick Pignatello (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) successfully completed a double-steal, but an error on the play enabled the ball to squirt into left field and allowed Limone to score. Pignatello moved up to third on the play and came across on a wild pitch.

William Paterson tacked on two more runs in the seventh on an RBI single by King, who concluded the Pioneers' scoring in that frame when he came around on an infield error. Pignatello poked an RBI hit in the eighth to conclude the scoring.

Sophomore lefty Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) dropped to 3-6 after allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings. He walked three and fanned three.

Loss at Rowan leaves Rutgers-Camden
in critical situation in NJAC playoff race

GLASSBORO - The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team entered its final weekend of regular-season New Jersey Athletic Conference regular-season play needing a strong showing in four games to reach the NJAC playoffs.

After a 5-4 11-inning loss at Rowan University here April 27, the Scarlet Raptors need that strong showing more than ever in their final three contests. Rutgers-Camden and Rowan both stand at 8-7 in the NJAC, locked in a battle for the sixth and final playoff spot. The Profs, however, hold the tie-breaker against the Scarlet Raptors by virtue of a pair of wins in their head-to-head encounters.

In their final three games, the Raptors play at William Paterson Friday and then face Kean University in a doubleheader Saturday. Those games will be played at Rowan University, beginning at noon, as the Raptors' home stadium, Campbell's Field, is being used for a Camden Riversharks game.

Rowan, meanwhile, closes the regular season with a game at Richard Stockton Friday and a doubleheader Saturday at New Jersey City University.

The Raptors also enter the weekend only one game behind both Kean and Rutgers-Newark. Newark has the toughest schedule remaining, playing at NJAC co-leader Montclair State Friday and hosting powerful The College of New Jersey for a twinbill Saturday. Rutgers-Newark, however, owns the head-to-head tie-breaker against Rutgers-Camden by virtue of a doubleheader sweep on April 15.

In Thursday's loss, Rowan sophomore catcher Bobby Fox (Ocean Township, NJ/Ocean Township) singled home senior second baseman Frank Galeota (Berlin, NJ/Overbrook) with the winning run with one out in the 11th inning. Galeota had opened the inning with a walk and advanced on a single by senior shortstop Matt Enuco (Pitman, NJ/Glassboro). Following a sacrifice bunt, sophomore third baseman Bruce Reibis (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) was intentionally walked to load the bases. Fox drove his game-winning single through the left side of the infield.

The Raptors and Profs traded two-run innings in the second, with Rutgers-Camden's runs scoring on a double by senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and a sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon).

The Raptors took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Turekian, but Rowan notched a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to give the Profs a 4-3 lead. The Raptors tied the game in the eighth when senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) scored on a passed ball after reaching on a single.

Calloway, Turekian, senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) each had two hits for the Raptors. Calloway, who also had 15 putouts at first base, extended his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest current string on the team.

Tuesday game cancelled
against Neumann College

CAMDEN - The non-conference baseball game scheduled for Tuesday between Rutgers-Camden and Neumann College has been cancelled, as the Knights had to reschedule a conference doubleheader against Alvernia for that day.

Morris powers Rutgers-Camden
sweep past NJCU on Senior Night

CAMDEN - The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team pounded out 24 hits in a doubleheader, including a home run in each game by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), and went on to sweep New Jersey City University, 12-1 and 13-3, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference makeup doubleheader here April 24. Both games were called after seven innings by a 10-run mercy rule.

Rutgers-Camden batted as the away team in both games since the contests were originally scheduled to be played at NJCU over the weekend. The Gothic Knights' field was unplayable by Monday, forcing the scheduling change.

The victories lift Rutgers-Camden to 21-12 overall and 8-6 in the NJAC, snapping a four-game conference losing streak. New Jersey City falls to 15-21 and 2-12.

Between the games, the Scarlet Raptors honored their seven seniors, first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), pitcher Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI), third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), pitcher Ragon Stone (Penns Grove, NJ/Penns Grove) and catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East).

In the opening game, Rutgers-Camden jumped on the board immediately with a leadoff triple by Jakubowski and an RBI single by Calloway. The Raptors put the game away with a wild seven-run second inning which featured three hits, three errors, two hit batsmen and a walk. The inning included an RBI single by sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep), an RBI when Jakubowski was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and a two-run single by Calloway.

For the game, Jakubowski went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Calloway went 2-for-5 with one run and three RBIs. Ambrozy and Morris each went 2-for-4 with two runs. Ambrozy had two RBIs and Morris had one on a solo home run, his third of the year.

Sophomore starter Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) worked five innings, allowing two hits, two walks and one earned run in collecting the win. Lihotz, 3-5, struck out six.

In the nightcap, Morris went 2-for-5 with a triple, a two-run home run (his fourth of the season), two runs and three RBIs. Calloway also went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, while sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) went 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI. Turekian added a 2-for-5 game with a double, a home run, two runs and two RBIs.

The Scarlet Raptors grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning, sparked by an RBI triple by Morris and a two-run home run from Turekian. The Gothic Knights, however, bounced back with three in the bottom of the third on four hits, including a two-run single by center fielder Rob Sumner (Union, NJ/Union). The single, Sumner's lone hit of the day, was his 97th career hit in only his sophomore year at NJCU.

Sophomore third baseman Ruben Borges Jr. (Union, NJ/Union), who went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, added an RBI single in the frame. Borges finished the doubleheader with a 3-for-6 day.

Rutgers-Camden put the game away with a five-run fifth inning, including a run-scoring double by Midili, a fielder's choice by Calloway which plated two runs, and RBI singles by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and Faragasso.

Junior righty Greg Galbraith (Westville, NJ/Gateway Regional) worked six innings to earn the win, raising his record to 2-0. He allowed six hits and three earned runs, while striking out three. He didn't walk a batter.

Inkster collected a second-inning single for his 100th career hit, and added another single in the big fifth inning. He also drew a pair of walks in the first game, raising his total to 25, four shy of the single-season program record.

The Scarlet Raptors host Neumann College Tuesday at 3 p.m. in a non-conference game. The Gothic Knights return to action Thursday when they host Montclair State University in a 3:30 p.m. NJAC game.

Second-ranked TCNJ
tops Raptors, 12-2

EWING - Junior left fielder Jeff Botti (Avenel, NJ/Colonia) went 2-for-4 with two runs, a home run and four RBIs to pace a 13-hit attack as The College of New Jersey defeated Rutgers University-Camden, 12-2, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference baseball game here April 21.

The Lions, ranked No. 2 in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball Division III national poll, entered the game averaging 11.2 runs per game. TCNJ, 26-4 overall and 9-4 in the NJAC, has now scored in double figures in 18 of its 30 games, including four games with 20 or more runs.

Rutgers-Camden falls to 19-12 overall and 6-6 in the NJAC with its fourth straight loss. All have come in conference games. The Scarlet Raptors, who were tied for first place in the NJAC prior to their losing streak, suddenly find themselves in a dogfight for the sixth and final playoff spot. They are locked in a three-way tie with Rowan and Kean for fifth place.

TCNJ took a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning following a leadoff single and a stolen base by senior center fielder Charles Iacono (Hamilton, NJ/Nottingham). He advanced to third on a fly out and scored on a fielder's choice grounder by junior first baseman Blake Bullis (Delran, NJ/Delran). Senior right fielder Chris Wilson (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Pt. Pleasant Beach) followed with an RBI double to right field.

The Scarlet Raptors cut the gap to 2-1 in the top of the third on a two-out single by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), a stolen base and a RBI double by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), but the Lions got that run back and more with a three-run bottom of the third.

TCNJ's big inning featured two walks and four singles, including RBI hits from Botti, junior second baseman Andrew Cosgrove (Lebanon, NJ/North Hunterdon) and Iacono.

The Raptors countered with a run in the fourth following singles by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) sacrificed and sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) plated the run with a ground out.

The Lions added two more runs in the fifth on RBI singles by pinch-hitter Tom Grohs (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) and senior shortstop Mike Bruschini (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrenceville). TCNJ put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth

Rutgers-Camden sophomore starter Stephen Sooy (Millville, NJ/Millville), 1-2, took the loss, working 2-1/3 innings, allowing six hits, four walks and five earned runs.

TCNJ starter Bob Buskett (Trenton, NJ/Notre Dame) collected the victory to raise his record to 4-0. The sophomore southpaw worked seven innings of six-hit ball, walking two and striking out six. He allowed two earned runs.

Rutgers-Camden's attack was paced by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), who went 2-for-3 including a seventh-inning double for his 100th career hit. Buchter now has 54 hits on the season, tied for the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. The record of 69 was set by Corey Hoffman in 2002.

The Scarlet Raptors travel to Jersey City Sunday for a noon NJAC doubleheader against New Jersey City University. The twinbill, originally scheduled for Saturday, was moved to Sunday due to the weekend weather forecast.

Brand's grand slam lifts William Paterson
to ninth-inning rally past Rutgers-Camden

CAMDEN - Junior catcher Ryan Brand (Monroe Township, NJ/Marlboro) hit a two-out grand slam in the top of the ninth inning, capping a six-run frame to rally the William Paterson University baseball team to an 8-6 victory over Rutgers University-Camden in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here April 20.

The Pioneers improve to 21-10 overall and 8-4 in the NJAC, while the Scarlet Raptors fall to 19-11 and 6-5.

William Paterson entered the ninth inning staring at a 6-2 deficit, but the Pioneers opened the frame with back-to-back singles by junior center fielder Rick Pignatello (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) and junior second baseman Wayne Poppe (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern). Pignatello went 4-for-5 with three runs and two stolen bases on the day to spark the Paterson attack from the leadoff spot.

Those two singles chased sophomore reliever John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township), who was relieved by sophomore Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep). Ambrozy got the first out of the inning on a foul fly to left field, but junior first baseman Ted King (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro South) followed with an RBI single and was removed for pinch-runner Jason Blanks (Hoboken, NJ/Hoboken). Back-to-back walks to junior third baseman Mike Rivera (Jersey City, NJ/Hudson Catholic) and senior right fielder Pete Zaccheria (Parsippany, NJ/Parsippany) forced home another run and brought in junior Kevin Engel (Haddon Township, NJ/Haddon Township) to relieve Ambrozy.

Engle notched the second out on a pop up to second base before Brand, who entered the game in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement, turned his first at bat into a game-winning grand slam. It was his first home run of the season.

Rutgers-Camden threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning on two-out singles by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional). Sophomore Ryan Lobban (Ramsey, NJ/St. Joseph-Montvale), the fifth Paterson pitcher, worked out of the jam with a strikeout to end the wild game.

William Paterson scored a first-inning run after Pignatello hit a leadoff infield single, stole second and advanced on a ground out. King was hit by a pitch and stole second, with Pignatello scoring when the throw sailed into center field.

The Raptors got that run back in the bottom of the first following a leadoff single by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). He advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a one-out double by Buchter, who went 4-for-5 with one run and three RBIs on the day.

With the score tied at 1-1, Rutgers-Camden opened the third inning with back-to-back walks to senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and Jakubowski. Following a sacrifice by Calloway, Buchter delivered an opposite-field RBI single to left. Senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) followed with a two-run single to center.

Paterson scored an unearned run on a fifth-inning error, but the Raptors tacked on a pair of runs in the seventh on an error and two hits, including an RBI single by Jakubowski. That gave Rutgers-Camden a 6-2 lead, setting the stage for Paterson's ninth-inning comeback.

Freshman Dan VandeVrede (Lincoln Park, NJ/Pequannock), the third Paterson pitcher, worked one scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out one, to collect his first collegiate victory. He is 1-0. Ambrozy (0-1) took the loss.

The Scarlet Raptors travel to Ewing Friday to take on the nation's second-ranked team, The College of New Jersey, in a 3:30 p.m. NJAC battle. The Pioneers return to action Saturday when they entertain Montclair State University in a noon NJAC doubleheader.

Rutgers-Newark sweeps
Raptors in NJAC twinbill

CAMDEN - Rutgers-Newark junior southpaw Tom Reynolds (Garfield, NJ/Garfield) raised his record to 8-0 in the opening game and the Scarlet Raiders handed Rutgers-Camden senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) his first defeat of the season in the nightcap as they swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here April 15.

Rutgers-Newark built a three-run lead before winning the opening game, 6-5, and then weathered a Rutgers-Camden comeback in the nightcap before winning, 5-4, on a save from senior Travis Bilak (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne).

The sweep helped the Scarlet Raiders leapfrog the Scarlet Raptors in the NJAC standings. Rutgers-Newark improved to 17-12 overall and 8-3 in the conference with its fourth straight win. Rutgers-Camden fell to 19-10 overall and 6-4 in the NJAC, snapping a two-game winning streak.

In the opening game, Rutgers-Camden jumped to a quick 2-0 first-inning lead on three singles, a walk and sacrifice flies by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic).

Rutgers-Newark, however, bounced back with three runs in the fourth inning on four hits, including a run-scoring single by freshman right fielder Brian Gill (Manasquan, NJ/Wall) and a two-run single by sophomore center fielder Mike DiMattia (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township).

After Rutgers-Camden tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI double by senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), the Scarlet Raiders took the lead for good with a three-run sixth inning. Rutgers-Newark's big frame started with four consecutive walks off three different Raptor pitchers, including a RBI walk to DiMattia. Senior shortstop Dave Sica (Lyndhurst, NJ/Lyndhurst) greeted the Raptors' fourth pitcher of the frame with a sacrifice fly. The final run scored on a fielder's choice by junior designated hitter Tom Callari (Oradell, NJ/River Dell).

Rutgers-Camden rallied in the ninth inning on a walk, a RBI triple by junior catcher Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and a sacrifice fly by Inkster, but Rutgers-Newark senior reliever Scott Barchetto (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) worked out of a one-out, one-on jam with a double play to record his fourth save. That save nailed down the victory for Reynolds (8-0), who worked seven innings, allowing six hits, three walks and three earned runs. He struck out three.

Barchetto entered the game with one run home and one on base in the ninth. He finished with one scoreless inning and one walk en route to his fourth save.

Rutgers-Camden sophomore Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) took the loss, working five innings and allowing seven hits, three walks and four earned runs. Lihotz, 2-5, struck out five.

For Rutgers-Newark, DiMattia went 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Gill, junior second baseman John Farmer (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) and freshman third baseman Christian Diaz (New Milford, NJ/New Milford) also had two hits apiece.

For Rutgers-Camden, senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and Terrill had two hits apiece. Three Scarlet Raider pitchers, however, snapped the long hitting streaks of Buchter (a school-record 23 games) and junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), who ended at 14 games. Senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) went 1-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

In the second game, the Scarlet Raiders scored a run in the fifth inning on a run-scoring fielder's choice by junior left fielder Brent DiMarco (Nutley, NJ/Nutley). They tacked on three more runs in the sixth on a hit batsman and four hits, including a two-run double by Diaz. Gill added an RBI single in the frame.

Newark's fifth run came after a leadoff double by DiMattia in the seventh inning. He scored on a single by Sica.

Down by a 5-0 score, Rutgers-Camden rallied for four runs in the eighth on five hits and a costly error which made the final three runs unearned. The inning was sparked by a double from Inkster, his 99th career hit. Following a one-out walk to sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep), Buchter plated a run with a fielder's choice and Calloway reached on a two-out infield error. Morris and senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) followed with RBI singles and Terrill had an infield single to load the bases. Faragasso plated a run with a high-bouncing infield chopper that went for a single before Inkster flied out to end the frame.

Bilak, who on Friday threw a two-hit shutout against New Jersey City University in a rain-shortened six-inning game, allowed a one-out single by Ambrozy in the ninth before ending the game with a double play. He finished with 1-1/3 shutout innings pitched, allowing three hits.

Junior Adam DiLorenzo (Maywood, NJ/Hackensack), the second of four Scarlet Raider pitchers, picked up the win to raise his record to 1-3. He worked 3-1/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out one.

Ford worked 6-1/3 innings in taking his first defeat of the season. He allowed 14 hits and five earned runs in falling to 5-1. He struck out two.

Newark had 15 hits overall, including three hits apiece from DiMattia, Sica and Gill. Diaz and senior designated hitter Tom Csigi (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack) each added two hits.

Rutgers-Camden received two hits from Calloway and Morris.

The Scarlet Raiders return to action Tuesday with a non-conference game at the College of Staten Island, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

The Scarlet Raptors host New Jersey Athletic Conference rival William Paterson University Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Morris stars at plate, in field
as Raptors edge TCNJ in 12 innings

CAMDEN - Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) doubled home the winning run with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning to lift the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team to a thrilling 3-2 victory over The College of New Jersey in a New Jersey Athletic Conference marathon here April 13.

The Scarlet Raptors, who have won six of their last seven games and 12 of 14, improve to 19-8 overall and 6-2 in the NJAC. TCNJ, ranked No. 3 nationally in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III poll, falls to 21-3 overall and 5-3 in the NJAC, snapping its six-game winning streak.

Rutgers-Camden held a 2-0 lead before TCNJ tied the game in the top of the ninth inning, beginning a marathon of strategic moves and countermoves in which both teams ended up losing their designated hitter with defensive changes. The contest, which lasted three hours, tied the Rutgers-Camden program record for the longest game by innings. The team had three previous 12-inning games, with the last coming in a 5-4 loss against Drew on April 30, 1970.

In the bottom of the 12th, senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) opened the frame with a single to center off the fourth Lion pitcher, junior Blake Ortiz (Swedesboro, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). Morris, who in the top of the 12th threw out the go-ahead run at the plate, followed by ripping a 3-2 pitch into the right-center field alley for his game-winning double.

Morris' hit gave sophomore John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) his first career win. Gladden (1-0), entered the game in the top of the ninth for Raptor junior starter Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), worked the final 3-2/3 innings, allowing three hits during his shutout stint. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

Ortiz, 1-1, took the loss, allowing three hits, two walks and the one earned run in 1-2/3 innings. He struck out one.

Ronca hurled a superb game, holding the hard-hitting Lions - who had averaged 11.4 runs over their first 23 games - to only four hits over his first eight innings. In the ninth, however, Ronca issued his first walk of the game to senior center fielder Charles Iacono (Hamilton, NJ/Nottingham), leading off the inning. Following a strikeout, junior catcher Gerard Haran (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) singled Iacono to third and was removed for pinch-runner Tom Grohs (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo). Iacono scored and Grohs advanced to second on a wild pitch, ending the day for Ronca, who finished with 8-1/3 innings, five hits, one walk, nine strikeouts and two earned runs.

Gladden coaxed the dangerous junior first baseman Blake Bullis (Delran, NJ/Delran) to fly out to center, advancing Grohs to third. With two gone, senior right fielder Chris Wilson (Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ/Point Pleasant Beach) skied a high fly down the left field line that fell barely fair for a game-tying single.

The Lions nearly took the lead in the top of the 12th after Bullis singled and Wilson sacrificed him to second. Senior third baseman Rich Kropp (Pottstown, PA/Owen J. Roberts) followed with a single to left field. Morris charged the ball and threw Bullis out at the plate, setting the stage for his game-winning double in the bottom of the frame.

Rutgers-Camden scored single runs in the fourth and fifth in the pitching duel between Ronca and TCNJ sophomore Mike Oliver (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West). In the fourth, a fly ball by Raptor junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) was played into a double, extending his school-record hitting streak to 23 games. Buchter scored on a single by Calloway.

In the fifth, senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) walked and was safe at second on Oliver's throwing error on an attempted sacrifice. Following a sacrifice by senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) plated the run with a ground out.

For the Lions, Haran went 2-for-4 and Rich Kropp went 2-for-5 to combine for half of their eight hits.

For Rutgers-Camden, Buchter and Morris each went 3-for-5, extending their hitting streaks to 23 and 14 games, respectively. Calloway went 2-for-3 and Jakubowski extended his hitting streak to nine games with a seventh-inning single.

TCNJ returns to NJAC action with a 3:30 p.m. home game against Rowan University Friday.

The Scarlet Raptors play a 4 p.m. non-conference game at Arcadia University Friday, and then host Rutgers-Newark for a noon NJAC doubleheader Saturday.

Raptors' Ronca adds ECAC honors
to NJAC Pitcher of the Week

CAMDEN - One day after earning the New Jersey Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honors, Rutgers University-Camden junior right-hander Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) was named the ECAC Metro Division III Pitcher of the Week April 10 for his accomplishments in games during the week ending April 9.

In a pair of outings, Ronca went 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA, allowing only two earned runs in 11 innings of work while picking up victories in back-to-back games against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham April 4 and against Richard Stockton College April 7.

Jason Ronca

Three days later, in a 9-2 conference win at Richard Stockton, Ronca hurled his first complete game of the season - and second of his career - with a seven-hitter. He allowed two earned runs and three walks, while striking out nine.

On the season, Ronca is 3-1 with a 4.61 ERA in nine appearances, with six starts. He has worked 41 innings, second on the staff, and allowed 43 hits and 19 walks, while striking out 44. After a slow start to the year, Ronca has been rounding into the form that made him one of the NJAC's top pitchers during his sophomore season. In his last four appearances, covering 20-2/3 innings, Ronca has allowed 18 hits and nine walks, while striking out 21. He has surrendered only seven earned runs in that span for a 3.05 ERA.

Last season the 6-foot-1 righty posted a 5-3 record and a 3.08 ERA for the Scarlet Raptors, making nine appearances with eight starts. He worked 49-2/3 innings. He earned the school's Raptor of the Week award for March 28, 2005 after working 7-2/3 innings of three-hit ball in a 5-2 win over Gwynedd-Mercy College on March 22. He walked five, allowed two earned runs and struck out nine in that game.

Ronca is the third Scarlet Raptor hurler to receive NJAC weekly honors this season. On March 6, senior right-hander Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) was named the NJAC Pitcher of the Week. On March 27, freshman southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) was named the NJAC Rookie Pitcher of the Week.

Another Scarlet Raptor, senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) earned honors on April 4 as the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association's Div. II/III Player of the Week.

Ronca is a Criminal Justice major at Rutgers-Camden who plans to join the state police after graduation. He is the son of Edward and Kathryn Ronca of Eastampton.

Rutgers-Camden, 18-8 overall and 5-2 in the NJAC, hosts conference rival The College of New Jersey Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Rutgers-Camden, MSU
split NJAC doubleheader

CAMDEN - Sophomore Robert Clark (Livingston, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) hit a pinch-hit two-run single to cap a four-run seventh inning for Montclair State University in the opening game and Rutgers-Camden senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) tossed a six-hitter in the nightcap as the two teams split a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader here April 9.

Montclair State's four-run seventh broke a 4-4 tie and sparked the Red Hawks to an 8-6 win in the opening game. Ford's pitching, and a five-run first inning lifted the Scarlet Raptors to a 9-3 victory in the nightcap.

Rutgers-Camden, which has won five of its last six games, stands at 18-8 overall and 5-2 in the NJAC. Montclair State is 10-9-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

In the opening game, Montclair State grabbed a 4-1 lead before the Raptors tied the game with a three-run sixth, sparked by a two-run single from senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and a run-scoring single from junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional).

The Red Hawks bounced right back in the top of the seventh with four runs on four hits and two walks, sparked by a leadoff single from senior third baseman Danny Rodriguez (South Brunswick, NJ/South Brunswick). Rodriguez stole second and scored the tie-breaking run on a single by junior catcher Andrew Vicaro (Randolph, NJ/Randolph). Clark capped the frame with his two-run pinch-hit single following an RBI walk to senior second baseman Marc DeCastro (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI).

The Scarlet Raptors had 12 hits in the losing effort off five Red Hawk pitchers. Buchter and Calloway each went 3-for-6, while junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) added two hits apiece.

In the nightcap, Ford threw no-hit ball for 4-2/3 innings until allowing a double by freshman right fielder Scott Evangelist (Northfield, NJ/Holy Spirit) with two outs in the fifth inning. Evangelist eventually scored on a single by sophomore shortstop James Scelzo (Staten Island, NY/Petrides), but by then the Raptors had staked Ford to a huge lead. He went the distance, scattering six hits and one walk, while striking out three. He allowed three earned runs in raising his record to 5-0.

Rutgers-Camden scored five runs in the bottom of the first, sparked by a leadoff walk from senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), who was playing in his 100th game with the Scarlet Raptors. He advanced to second on a single by sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace) and scored on a double by Buchter. Buchter, who went 5-for-11 in the twinbill, extended his school-record batting streak to 22 games. Calloway added an RBI ground out in the inning, while Morris hit an RBI single, senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) hit an RBI triple and Turekian added a sacrifice fly.

Turekian had a two-run home run in the fourth inning to stake the Raptors to a 7-0 lead. They added their final runs in the sixth on a two-run double by Ambrozy.

In addition to Buchter's hitting streak, Morris and Jakubowski also continued their hitting streaks, stretching them to 13 and eight games, respectively.

The Red Hawks play another NJAC game Monday when they host New Jersey City University at 3:30 p.m.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Thursday when they host a 3:30 p.m. conference game against The College of New Jersey.

Rain postpones
games against MSU

CAMDEN - Rainy weather forced postponement of the scheduled New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader between Rutgers-Camden and Montclair State University April 8. The games will be played April 9 in Camden, beginning at 12 p.m.

Ronca, Inkster power Raptors
past Richard Stockton College

ATLANTIC CITY - Junior right-hander Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) hurled a seven-hitter, striking out nine, and senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) went 3-for-4 to power the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team over Richard Stockton College, 9-2, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game April 7 at the Sandcastle.

It was the fourth straight win for the Scarlet Raptors (17-7 overall, 4-1 NJAC), who have won 10 of their last 11 games. Stockton falls to 11-12 and 1-5. Two of those NJAC losses have come against Rutgers-Camden.

The Scarlet Raptors scored seven of their nine runs in the first four innings for a 7-0 lead and added two more runs in the eighth.

Ronca, 3-1, allowed two earned runs and three walks in his complete game as he was the Raptors' winning pitcher for the second straight game. He also hurled two innings to collect the win in a 7-6 10-inning victory over FDU-Florham on Tuesday.

The Raptors notched a number of milestones along the way. Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) extended his school-record hitting streak to 20 games with a fourth-inning single.

Senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), meanwhile, notched eight putouts to become the first player in school history - baseball or softball - to pass the 1,000 milestone in career putouts. He now has 1,007. He also extended his career record to 70 defensive double plays.

Another defensive player, Inkster, collected one assist at third base to become the first player in school history to reach 300 career assists.

Calloway also collected a single to give him 167 career hits, moving past Jamie Schwantes (1994-97) into third place on the career list. Gerry Gatelein (1993-96) is second on the career hit list with 176. Calloway's pair of runs lifted him past Tom Cusano into fourth place on the career list with 105. He is two behind third-place Gatelein.

Another significant accomplishment came from junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), who went 1-for-3 with one run and two RBIs, collecting a double to extend his own hitting streak to 11 games. Senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) went 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs, giving him a six-game hitting streak.

In addition to Inkster's three hits, the Scarlet Raptors had a 2-for-4 day from sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). Junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) collected two RBIs, one on a sacrifice fly.

Chris Crescenzi (Pedricktown, NJ/Penns Grove) went 2-4 with a solo home run and Pat Goodwin (Mays Landing, NJ/Holy Spirit) was 2-3 for Stockton. Crescenzi's home run was the second solo shot he has hit this season against Rutgers-Camden.

Rutgers-Camden scored two unearned runs in the first inning and Jakubowski singled home two more in the second inning for a quick 4-0 lead. Amato had his sacrifice fly and Morris doubled in two runs for a three-run fourth inning that gave the Scarlet Raptors a commanding 7-0 lead.

Crescenzi led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo blast over the left field fence and Eric Markussen (Iselin, NJ/JFK) stroked an RBI single in the inning to make the score 7-2.

Rutgers-Camden added its final two runs on a bases-loaded walk to senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and a wild pitch in the eighth inning.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday when they host Montclair State University in a conference doubleheader, beginning at noon.

Raptors' Jakubowski earns
NJCBA Div. II/III Player of the Week

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) has been named the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III Player of the Week for the week after helping the Scarlet Raptors jump off to a 3-1 start in New Jersey Athletic Conference play.

The honors are based on all games played through April 1.

In his first four NJAC games of the season, Jakubowski went 9-for-16 (.562) with a .650 on-base percentage as the Scarlet Raptors' leadoff man. He also played outstanding defensive ball, collecting four putouts and 17 assists in 21 chances, while helping the Raptors turn seven double plays. He was involved in a school single-game record four double plays in a win over Ramapo College April 1 (game one). He also scored three runs in that game.

In addition to his 9-for-16 performance, Jakubowski scored six runs, collected three RBIs and added four walks on the week.

Brian Jakubowski

For the season, Jakubowski is hitting .381, sparking the Scarlet Raptors to a 16-7 record. He is second on the team in runs (19) and hits (37), second among regulars in batting average and is tied for the team lead with two triples. He has a .444 on-base percentage.

Following a 2-for-4 game in a non-conference win over FDU-Florham Tuesday, Jakubowski has a five-game hitting streak (11-for-20, .550). It is the second five-game hitting streak he has posted this season, and he also started the year with a seven-game streak. Overall, he has hit safely in 20 of the Scarlet Raptors' 23 games.

Jakubowski is playing his third year at Rutgers-Camden after spending his freshman season at West Chester University. Earlier this spring, he collected his 100th career hit with the Scarlet Raptors (he now has 115), and he should play in his 100th Rutgers-Camden game this weekend. Jakubowski has 97 games in a Scarlet Raptor uniform heading into Friday's 3:30 p.m. NJAC game against Richard Stockton College in Atlantic City. The Raptors return home Saturday for a noon doubleheader against Montclair State University.

Jakubowski also is locked in a tight face with current Raptor teammate and former Audubon High School teammate Tyler Inkster for the Rutgers-Camden career lead in assists. Inkster currently has 299 assists, while Jakubowski is third at 281, four shy of former record-holder Barry Huver (2001-04). With 50 double plays in a Raptor uniform, Jakubowski also is third on the school's career charts behind senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), who has 69, and Huver (54).

Last season Jakubowski hit .303 with 45 runs scored (second on the single-season charts) and 27 walks (two shy of the program's single-season record). He earned All-NJAC First Team honors and was recognized on the NJCBA Div. II/III Third Team.

Jakubowski is the second Scarlet Raptor to win NJCBA honors this season. On March 7, senior right-hander Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) was named as the NJCBA Division II/III Pitcher of the Week.

A Criminal Justice major at Rutgers-Camden, Brian is the son of David and Kathleen Jakubowski of Audubon.

Midili wins game, Buchter sets hit streak record
as Scarlet Raptors rally past FDU-Florham

CAMDEN - Sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) doubled home senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) with the winning run in the 10th inning and the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team edged Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham, 7-6, here April 4 in a game which saw junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) set a school record by extending his hitting streak to 19 games.

Rutgers-Camden improves to 16-7 overall with its third straight win and ninth victory in 10 games. FDU-Florham falls to 9-10, snapping a five-game winning streak.

The Raptors, who tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on a two-out RBI single by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), won it in the 10th when Turekian opened with a double to left and scored on Midili's double to right.

Nate Buchter

Buchter added a third-inning triple and finished his day 2-for-4 with one run, one RBI and an intentional walk. He is now batting .424.

Morris, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 to stretch his hitting streak to 10 games and raise his average to .377.

After Rutgers-Camden took an early 5-2 lead through four innings, the Devils chipped away with one run in the fifth and tied the game with a two-run sixth which featured a walk, three hits and a big error. Freshman third baseman Bill Smith (Howell, NJ/Freehold Township) had an RBI single in the frame and senior shortstop Jim DaSilva (Morristown, NJ/Ridge) reached on a two-out infield error which plated the tying run.

FDU scored an unearned run in the seventh to take the lead, sparked by an error which put sophomore first baseman Dan Bellino (Jackson, NJ/St. Rose) on base to open the inning. He later scored on a single by freshman catcher Jimmy Sheppard (Gladstone, NJ/Bernards).

Trailing, 6-5, the Scarlet Raptors opened the ninth with a walk to senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). He was sacrificed to second by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), and Buchter drew an intentional walk. Following a fly out against relief pitcher Glenn Regan (Bayonne, NJ/St. Peter's Prep), Morris delivered his game-tying single.

Regan, 3-2, took the loss, working 2/3-inning and allowing three hits and the one earned run. Junior Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), the last of three Scarlet Raptor hurlers, picked up the win. Ronca, 2-1, worked two shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk. He struck out four.

Freshman second baseman Joey Santillo (Budd Lake, NJ/Mt. Olive) went 3-for-5 with one RBI for the Devils.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Friday when they play a 3:30 p.m. New Jersey Athletic Conference game against Richard Stockton College at the Sandcastle in Atlantic City.

FDU-Florham entertains St. Joseph's at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Buchter ties mark with 18-game hit streak
as Scarlet Raptors sweep Ramapo College

MAHWAH -Rutgers University-Camden junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) tied the school record by extending his hitting streak to 18 games and the Scarlet Raptors ripped out 28 hits as they swept a New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader from Ramapo College, 19-9 and 6-2, here April 1. The second game was called after seven innings due to darkness.

Rutgers-Camden, ranked No. 26 nationally, improves to 15-7 overall and 3-1 in the NJAC. Ramapo falls to 11-9 and 0-4.

Buchter went 1-for-4 with two runs, a walk and one RBI in the opening game and went 2-for-3 with one run and one walk in the nightcap as he tied the program hitting streak record set by Bob Diepold in 2001. Diepold is now one of the Scarlet Raptors' assistant coaches. Buchter, who is hitting .420, will get a chance to break that mark when the Scarlet Raptors entertain Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

The Scarlet Raptors rallied from a 9-3 deficit in the first game by exploding for eight runs in both the sixth and eighth innings. The big blow of the sixth inning was a grand slam by senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). In the eighth inning, the Raptors were aided by six hits, one error and three walks. The big hit in the inning was a two-run single by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), who had two hits in each game to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Morris is hitting .370 on the season.

The Raptors' 18-hit attack in the opener was paced by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), who went 4-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs. Calloway's pair of runs scored allowed him to become the fifth player in program history to score over 100 career runs, giving him 101.

Faragasso went 3-for-6 with three runs and four RBIs, while junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI) went 2-for-5, including a home run, with two runs and three RBIs.

Senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) and junior catcher Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) also added two hits apiece. Jakubowski also set a single-game school record by participating in all four double plays the Raptors pulled off. The old mark was three, shared by many players.

Sophomore lefty Nicholas Eric (Port St. Lucie, FL/Fort Pierce Central), the third of four Raptor pitchers, worked 1-2/3 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and no walks as he collected his first win at Rutgers-Camden. Eric, 1-0, struck out two.

Junior right-hander Greg Galbraith (Westville, NJ/Gateway Regional) did an outstanding job of shutting down Ramapo over the final four innings, hurling two-hit shutout ball, to pick up his second save. He walked two and didn't strike out a batter.

In the nightcap, Galbraith worked the first two innings and pieced together the win with relief help from freshman Pat Faulls (Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland Regional) and sophomore John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township). Faulls (1-1) notched his first collegiate win, working 3-2/3 innings and allowing four hits, four walks and one earned run. Gladden collected his second save, wriggling out of a sixth-inning jam to work 1-1/3 perfect innings with one strikeout.

Offensively, Calloway, Buchter, Morris and sophomore right fielder Joe Midili (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) each had two hits for the Scarlet Raptors, who overcame a 2-1 deficit with a three-run fifth inning. Jakubowski and Morris had RBI singles in that frame, sandwiched around a sacrifice fly by Amato.

Rowan rallies from three-run deficit
to top Scarlet Raptors in NJAC action

CAMDEN - The Rowan University-Camden baseball team ripped 14 hits and took advantage of shaky Rutgers-Camden defensive play as the Profs roared back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Scarlet Raptors, 9-5, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here March 31.

Rowan, ranked No. 8 nationally in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III poll, improves to 15-3 overall and 1-0 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden, ranked No. 26 nationally, falls to 13-7 and 1-1. The Profs have won five straight games, while the Scarlet Raptors saw their six-game winning streak snapped.

Rowan's attack was sparked by 3-for-5 days from sophomore third baseman Bruce Reibis (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) and junior designated hitter Brian McLaughlin (Glendora, NJ/Triton Regional). Reibis had two runs and two RBIs, while McLaughlin collected one RBI and scored three times. That offense helped the Profs rally from a 3-0 hole after one inning.

The Scarlet Raptors scored three times in the first inning after consecutive singles by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) loaded the bases with no outs. Junior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) delivered one run with a sacrifice fly, extending his career school record to 11 sacrifice flies. Senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) ripped a two-out double scoring Ambrozy and Buchter.

Rowan started its comeback in the second inning with a single run off Scarlet Raptor sophomore starter Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast). With one out, the Profs loaded the bases on singles by McLaughlin and sophomore left fielder Frank Hasenauer (Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy) and an infield error. Senior center fielder Jim Comprelli (Harrison, NJ/St. Peter's Prep) drove home the run with a single to left.

In the third inning, the Profs tied the game with two runs on four hits, including a couple which were played into base hits. McLaughlin doubled home one run and scored the tying run on a pop up which fell for a single by junior first baseman Shawn Counard (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape Regional).

Rowan grabbed the lead for good in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Reibis.

The Profs put the game away with a three-run seventh inning, including a misplayed ball which went for an RBI double by Hasenauer, a sacrifice fly by Counard and a run-scoring double by sophomore catcher Bobby Fox (Ocean Township, NJ/Ocean Township).

Rowan added its final runs in the eighth on a walk to senior shortstop Matt Enuco (Pitman, NJ/Glassboro), a triple by Reibis and a fielder's choice RBI grounder by junior right fielder Tim Edmeads (Newfield, NJ/Buena Regional).

The Raptors added another run in the seventh on an RBI single by Jakubowski, who went 4-for-5 on the day. Their final run came in the eighth on a triple by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), which extended his hitting streak to seven games, and an RBI single by Faragasso, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Rowan sophomore starter Joe Cichy (Vineland, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) picked up the win, raising his record to 3-0, working 7-2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs (four earned). He fanned three and didn't walk a batter. Junior Tyler Dempsey (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) collected the last two outs for his third save.

Lihotz (2-3) worked six innings, allowing 11 hits, six runs (five earned) and one walk. He struck out two.

Rutgers-Camden returns to action Saturday with a noon NJAC doubleheader at Ramapo College. Rowan also plays a road conference twinbill Saturday with an 11:30 a.m. start at Montclair State University.

Buchter's two-out game-winning hit in 9th lifts
Rutgers-Camden past Stockton in NJAC opener

CAMDEN - Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) ripped a two-out, two-run game-winning double to the center field wall in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team to a 5-4 victory over Richard Stockton College in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

The Scarlet Raptors, ranked No. 26 in the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division III poll released Monday, improve to 13-6 overall and 1-0 in the conference with their sixth straight win. The Ospreys fall to 9-8 and 0-1.

Trailing, 4-3, entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Rutgers-Camden opened the winning rally with a single to right field by senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West). He was sacrificed to second by senior pinch-hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). After senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) drew a walk and was replaced by sophomore pinch-runner Dean Straga (Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional), the Ospreys replaced senior starter Mike Downs (Brick, NJ/Brick) with sophomore Sean Curran (Gloucester, NJ/Gloucester). A wild pitch moved up the runners and the Ospreys elected to intentionally walk senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). With the bases loaded, Curran struck out sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep), leaving Buchter at the plate with two outs. Buchter, who earlier in the day extended his hitting streak to 15 games, drilled a shot to the base of the center field wall to plate Turekian with the tying run and Straga with the winner.

The rally made a winner out of Rutgers-Camden freshman southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville), who worked the final two innings in relief of senior starter Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI). Wright allowed one hit and two walks in a scoreless stint, while striking out three to raise his record to 2-0. Ford worked the first seven innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs and one walk, while striking out four.

Downs, 2-1, was the tough-luck losing pitcher, being charged with five earned runs in 8-1/3 innings. He allowed nine hits and three walks, while fanning five.

The Scarlet Raptors scored single runs in each of the first two innings.

In the opening frame, Jakubowski hit a leadoff single, advanced on a single by Ambrozy and scored on a long single to right-center by junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI).

Inkster hit a one-out home run to left field for the Raptors' second-inning run.

Stockton tied the game in the top of the fifth following a leadoff double by sophomore shortstop Pat Goodwin (Mays Landing, NJ/Holy Spirit). Goodwin advanced on a single by senior third baseman Eric Markussen (Iselin, NJ/John F. Kennedy). After junior left fielder Chris Herman (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) squeezed home Goodwin and reached on a fielding error, junior center fielder Mike Liquori (Manahawkin, NJ/Carteret) plated the tying run with a single up the middle.

The Ospreys took a brief 3-2 lead in the sixth inning when senior catcher Chris Crescenzi (Pedricktown, NJ/Penns Grove) opened the frame by crushing a long home run to left-center. It was his team-leading third homer of the season. Rutgers-Camden, however, tied the game in the bottom of the frame after Buchter hit a leadoff double down the right field line. He scored on a one-out single to left field by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township).

Stockton regained the lead in the eighth when junior second baseman Brian Paras (Cape May Courthouse, NJ/Middle Township) opened the inning with a single to chase Ford. Wright walked Crescenzi and allowed an RBI double by senior first baseman Mike Roman (Chesterfield, NJ/Northern Burlington) before working out of the jam.

The Ospreys' eight-hit attack was paced by Liquori, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI.

For Rutgers-Camden, Inkster went 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI, while Jakubowski and Buchter each went 2-for-4 with one run. Buchter added his two clutch RBIs in the ninth inning.

Buchter has hit safely in 18 of the 19 Rutgers-Camden games this season, including 15 straight. His two hits Thursday raised his batting average to .434.

The Scarlet Raptors entertain NJAC rival Rowan University, the nation's 8th-ranked team, Friday at 3 p.m. Stockton also resumes its NJAC schedule Friday with a 3 p.m. game in Atlantic City against William Paterson University.

Scarlet Raptors' Wright earns
NJAC Rookie Pitcher of Week

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden freshman southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Week March 27, following his performance in two outings last week.

Wright collected a save and a win in back-to-back games March 22 and 25, giving him a 1-0 record, two saves and a 2.95 ERA in his first 18-1/3 innings of collegiate baseball. In nine appearances, Wright has four walks and 11 strikeouts.

Damien Wright

Wright hurled a scoreless ninth inning in a 4-1 win at Delaware Valley College March 22 to nail down his save last week. He allowed only one hit.

Wright followed with his first collegiate win, working the final 2-1/3 innings of a 10-inning 4-3 victory over pre-season No. 19 DeSales University on Saturday. He allowed two hits, one walk and one earned run.

Wright is the second Raptor to win a weekly conference pitching honor this season. On March 7, senior right-hander Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) was named the NJAC Pitcher of the Week.

Turekian's double in 10th inning lifts
Rutgers-Camden past DeSales, 4-3

CAMDEN - Senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) ripped a one-out, two-run game-winning double in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team to a 4-3 non-conference victory over DeSales University here March 19.

The Scarlet Raptors improve to 12-6 with their fifth straight win. DeSales, which was ranked No. 19 nationally in the pre-season Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Division III poll, falls to 5-6.

After DeSales took a lead in the top of the 10th on an RBI single by junior designated hitter Luke Pisker (Oley, PA/Oley Valley), the Raptors rallied for two runs in the bottom of the frame to win the wild game. Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) drew a leadoff walk and raced to third on a one-out double by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). After senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) was intentionally walked to load the bases, Turekian delivered his game-winning double to right field.

Turekian's hit gave freshman southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) his first collegiate victory to go along with a pair of saves. Wright, 1-0, worked 2-1/3 innings in relief of junior starter Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional), allowing two hits, one earned run and one walk. Ronca worked 7-2/3 innings, allowing six hits, two walks and two earned runs, while striking out seven.

Sophomore Mike Concilio (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), the third Bulldog pitcher, took the loss. Concilio, 1-1, worked two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits, two walks and two earned runs. He struck out one.

DeSales scored in the top of the first inning on a one-out double by sophomore left fielder Andrew Heard (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield) and a run-scoring single by Pisker. The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the fourth when Pisker singled and scored on a double by sophomore first baseman Scott Matejicka (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall).

Rutgers-Camden cut the gap in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace) singled, advanced on a single by Buchter and scored on a base hit by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional).

The Scarlet Raptors tied the game in the seventh when Morris singled, advanced to third on a single by Faragasso and scored on Turekian's ground out.

DeSales took its lead in the top of the 10th on a walk to freshman shortstop Greg Treat (Concord, NH/Concord), a sacrifice and consecutive singles by Heard and Pisker.

Pisker went 4-for-5 with one run and two RBIs for DeSales, while Heard was 3-for-5 with one run.

For the Scarlet Raptors, Buchter went 2-for-3 with one run to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and raise his batting average to .431. Morris went 2-for-5 with two runs, while Turekian had the game-winning double and three RBIs.

The Scarlet Raptors return home next week for the start of New Jersey Athletic Conference play. They host Richard Stockton University Thursday at 3 p.m. and entertain Rowan University Friday at 3 p.m.

Buchter's hitting streak reaches 13 games
in Raptors' 4-1 win at Delaware Valley College

DOYLESTOWN, PA - Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) went 3-for-3 with one run and two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to 13 games and raising his batting average to .420, as the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team defeated Delaware Valley College, 4-1, in a non-conference game here March 22.

The Scarlet Raptors improve to 11-6 with their fourth consecutive win. The Aggies fall to 6-4.

The Scarlet Raptors scored the only run of the first seven innings when they struck for a lone tally in the top of the third inning. Sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) hit a wind-blown two-out double and scored on a single by Buchter.

Rutgers-Camden senior starter Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) made that lone run stand up until his teammates added three more tallies in the top of the eighth inning. Ambrozy reached on a fielder's choice following a leadoff walk by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). Buchter doubled home Ambrozy and scored on a single by junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI). After Amato stole second and advanced on a throwing error, he trotted home on a double by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township). It was the third double in two days for the red-hot Morris, who had a pair of two-baggers in a win over Gwynedd-Mercy College Tuesday.

The Aggies' lone run came in the bottom of the eighth after a one-out single by senior Steve Kinney (Ottsville, PA/Pennridge). He eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Ford collected the victory to raise his record to 4-0. He worked 7-1/3 innings, scattering nine hits and two walks. He struck out three and allowed only the one earned run. He was relieved by freshman Pat Faulls (Laurel

Springs, NJ/Highland Regional), who finished up the eighth inning, working 2/3 of an inning and walking two. Freshman Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) hurled a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit, to earn his second save of the year.

Delaware Valley College used seven different pitchers, with freshman Rob Galdieri (Scranton, PA/Bishop O'Hara) getting the loss to drop to 0-2. He allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out one in one inning.

The Scarlet Raptors return home Saturday for a 1 p.m. non-conference game against DeSales University.

Morris, Turekian power offense
as Raptors top Gwynedd-Mercy College

CAMDEN - Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) went 3-for-4 with two runs and one RBI and senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) went 2-for-4 with one run and four RBIs to power the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team over Gwynedd-Mercy College, 10-6, in a non-conference game here March 21.

The Scarlet Raptors improve to 10-6 with their third straight victory. Gwynedd-Mercy falls to 7-6, snapping a five-game winning streak.

After building a 5-0 lead and watching Gwynedd-Mercy rally to tie the game with a five-run fifth, the Scarlet Raptors took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Griffins reliever Joe Harris (Norristown, PA/Kennedy-Kenrick) issued three consecutive walks to junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and Morris. Harris was replaced by sophomore Kyle Reynolds (Darby, PA/Cardinal O'Hara), and Raptor senior designated hitter Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) greeted him with a sacrifice fly. Turekian plated two insurance runs with a single.

Nursing a 9-6 lead in the top of the eighth inning, the Raptors saw Gwynedd-Mercy load the bases on a pair of walks and a two-out infield error. Reliever John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) worked out of that jam with the aid of an outstanding play by sophomore second baseman Joe Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep). Ambrozy robbed junior right fielder Anthony Capella (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) of a single up the middle and turned it into an inning-ending ground out.

Gladden worked the final 1-2/3 innings, allowing no hits, no runs and no walks, while striking out one. He earned his second save of the year.

Sophomore starter Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) picked up the win, working six innings, allowing eight hits, six runs (five earned) and four walks. He evened his record at 2-2. Harris (0-1) took the loss for Gwynedd-Mercy, walking three and allowing three earned runs in 1/3 of an inning.

The Scarlet Raptors jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning following a leadoff single by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). He was sacrificed to second by Ambrozy and scored on a two-out single by Calloway. Morris followed with an RBI double to right field, the first of his two doubles on the day.

The Raptors added three runs in the fourth, sparked by a leadoff hustle double by Morris and a walk to Faragasso. Turekian ripped a two-run triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman right fielder Ian King (Riverside, NJ/Riverside).

Gwynedd-Mercy bounced right back with a five-run fifth inning to tie the game. The Griffins loaded by bases on a double by freshman designated hitter Nick DiEnno (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Ryan), a single by junior catcher J.B. Meadows (Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville) and a walk to sophomore center fielder Kurt Bruehl (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Wood). Freshman shortstop Ken Bengtson (Jamison, PA/Central Bucks East) hit a two-run single to left and Bruehl scored on a wild pitch. Bengtson scored on a single by sophomore second baseman Mark Mattes (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East), who stole second, advanced on a ground out and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by senior third baseman Troy Peiffer (Royersford, PA/Spring Ford).

In addition to three hits by Morris and two by Turekian,Buchter and Jakubowski each added two hits. Buchter extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

The Scarlet Raptors play Wednesday with a non-conference game at Delaware Valley College (3 p.m.). They return home Saturday at 1 p.m. with a non-conference home game against DeSales University.

The Griffins host Eastern University Friday in a 3 p.m. game.

Morris powers Rutgers-Camden
to 7-5 win at Occidental College

LOS ANGELES, CA -Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs as the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team completed its nine-game trip to Southern California with a 7-5 victory at Occidental College here March 19 in the California Invitational.

The Scarlet Raptors, who went 6-3 on the west coast to hike their record to 9-6, took the lead for good in a three-run second inning, sparked when junior catcher Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) opened the frame by reaching on an error. Morris followed with his second home run in as many days. Senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) added a single and eventually scored on a single by freshman right fielder Ian King (Riverside, NJ/Riverside).

The Scarlet Raptors added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by Morris and plated two runs in the sixth on a single by junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional). Buchter went 2-for-5 on the day, stretching his hitting streak to 11 games. He has hit safely in 14 of the Raptors' 15 games this season.

Rutgers-Camden's final run came in the seventh on doubles by Calloway and King, with King collecting the RBI.

Junior right-hander Kevin Engel (Haddon Township, NJ/Haddon Township) collected his first victory at Rutgers-Camden, working five innings and allowing two hits, four walks and two earned runs. He struck out three.

Sophomore Steven Sooy (Millville, NJ/Millville) worked two-thirds of an inning and junior Greg Galbraith (Westville, NJ/Gateway Regional) finished the game with 3-1/3 innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and one walk. He struck out one in collecting his first save.

The game featured a fourth.-inning single by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), giving him 100 hits in his three-year career at Rutgers-Camden. He also had 38 hits in his freshman season as a member of the West Chester University baseball team.

For the game, Buchter, King, Calloway and Morris each had two hits. Senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) also collected one assist, allowing him to set the career mark with 286, one more than former record-holder Barry Huver (2001-04).

The Scarlet Raptors return home Tuesday for a 3 p.m. game against Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Rutgers-Camden rallies
past Whittier College

WHITTIER, CA -The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team rallied from a five-run deficit to a 7-5 victory over Whittier College here March 18 at the California Invitational.

After falling into a 5-0 hole through 6-1/2 innings, the Raptors notched two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and exploded for a five-run eighth to post the victory. The rally made a winner out of freshman righty Brandon Rocktoff (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central), who hurled shutout ball over the last 2-1/3 innings to earn his first collegiate decision. He allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out one.

Freshman righty Pat Faulls (Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland Regional) made his first career start for the Scarlet Raptors (8-6), working 2-1/3 innings and allowing two hits, one walk and one earned run, while striking out two. He was relieved by freshman southpaw Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville), who worked 4-1/3 innings, surrendering six hits, one walk and four runs (three earned). He struck out four.

Whittier (8-10), which edged Rutgers-Camden 7-6 on March 12, scored a single run in the second and added a four-run top of the seventh, batting as the visiting team.

Rutgers-Camden got two runs back in the bottom of the seventh on a leadoff home run by junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and an RBI single by senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon).

The Raptors exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth on four hits and one error. Inkster had a two-run single in the frame, while freshman right fielder Ian King (Riverside, NJ/Riverside) plated one run with a single. Another run scored on a bases-loaded walk to senior catcher, Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West), who was playing in his 100th career contest at Rutgers-Camden. He is the ninth player in program history to reach that plateau. He also is the third current Raptor over 100 games, joining Inkster, who hit that plateau March 4, and senior Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), who played in his 100th game last season.

For the game, King and Morris each had two hits, while Inkster went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Inkster also collected four assists, allowing him to tie the career mark of 285, set by Barry Huver (2001-04).

Rutgers-Camden concludes its West Coast trip Sunday (12 p.m. Pacific) at Occidental College in Los Angeles. The Scarlet Raptors return home Tuesday for a 3 p.m. game against Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Rutgers-Camden tops Wesleyan,
loses to University of Redlands

REDLANDS, CA -The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team saw a little of everything here Marcy 17 in the California Invitational at University of Redlands. In the opening game, the Scarlet Raptors pounded out 15 hits in a 10-3 victory over Wesleyan University of Middletown, Connecticut. In the nightcap, the Raptors saw host Redlands rip 12 hits to take a big lead before heavy rains ended the game in the fifth inning, giving the Bulldogs a 6-1 win.

Redlands, which improves to 13-3 with its seventh straight win, scored all the runs it needed with a three-run third inning, which wiped out the Raptors' 1-0 lead. Rutgers-Camden (7-6) scored in the second on a double by senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). He eventually scored on a ground out by senior catcher Nick Turekian (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West).

The Bulldogs' third-inning rally was sparked by a leadoff triple from sophomore shortstop Chase Beatty (Ramona, CA/Ramona). He scored the tying run on a single by senior third baseman Patrick Jones (Tigard, OR/Tigard). After Jones was caught stealing, senior second baseman Jason Sobieski (San Diego, CA/St. Augustine) and junior center fielder Kyle Gardner (Fairfax, VA/Robinson Secondary) both singled and advanced on a ground out. They scored on a two-run single by senior first baseman Jake McLean-Black (Yakima, WA/John W. North).

Redlands added another three-point frame in the fourth on five hits and three errors. Beatty and Gardner had RBI singles in the frame.

Rutgers-Camden junior Jason Ronca (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) took the loss, allowing six earned runs and 11 hits in 3-2/3 innings. Ronca (1-1) struck out four. Freshman Brandon Rocktoff (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) hurled the final 1-1/3 innings in his collegiate debut, allowing just one hit and one walk. He struck out two in the scoreless performance.

Earlier in the day, the Scarlet Raptors rode the combined pitching of senior Tom Ford (Laurel Springs, NJ/Paul VI) and sophomore John Gladden (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Township) to a 10-3 victory over Wesleyan University, which falls to 1-3.

Ford scattered 12 hits over 7-1/3 innings, walking none and striking out six. He allowed three earned runs while raising his record to 3-0. Gladden worked the final 1-2/3 shutout innings, allowing one walk and no hits.

Rutgers-Camden scored all the runs it needed in a four-run first inning, which opened with a single by senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon). He advanced to second on a balk and to third on a fly out. Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) reached on an infield single and stole second. Junior designated hitter Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) walked to load the bases and his former high school teammate, junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), delivered the first run with a sacrifice fly.

Faragasso walked to re-load the bases and Turekian plated three runs with a double to center field.

Buchter added a two-run single in the fourth inning, the Raptors plated a run on a double steal in the sixth and added an RBI by Jakubowski in the seventh when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Jakubowski added a two-run single in the ninth inning to finish with a 3-for-4 day, one run and three RBIs.

Buchter paced the Scarlet Raptors with a 3-for-6 game, adding one run and one RBI. Turekian went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs, while Terrill went 2-for-4 with one run. Freshman right fielder Ian King (Riverside, NJ/Riverside) went 2-for-2 with one run.

Rutgers-Camden concludes its West Coast trip over the weekend with two games in the California Invitational. The Raptors play at Whittier College in Whittier, Calif., on Saturday morning (9 a.m. Pacific). They finish their nine-game trip Sunday (12 p.m. Pacific) at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Lihotz hurls Scarlet Raptors to win
over No. 4-ranked Chapman University

ORANGE, CA -Sophomore southpaw Andrew Lihotz (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) hurled five strong innings for his first win of the season to lead the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team over powerful Chapman University, 3-2, in a non-conference game here March 16.

Chapman, the defending NCAA West Regional champion, was ranked No. 4 nationally in the pre-season Collegiate Baseball News NCAA Division III poll. The Panthers fall to 14-6 with their second consecutive loss to a New Jersey Athletic Conference team. They dropped a 4-3 decision to Kean University Tuesday.

Lihotz allowed seven hits and six walks for the Scarlet Raptors, who improved to 6-5. He struck out three and surrendered a pair of earned runs. Rutgers-Camden received shutout relief pitching from a trio of young hurlers, as freshman lefty Damien Wright (Millville, NJ/Millville) allowed just one hit in one inning of work and sophomore southpaw Nicholas Eric (Port St. Lucie, FL/Fort Pierce Central) hurled 2-1/3 innings of one-hit ball, striking out one. Freshman righty Pat Faulls (Laurel Springs, NJ/Highland Regional) picked up the final two outs, one on a strikeout, to earn his first collegiate save.

Not only did the Raptors defeat the highly-ranked Panthers, they put an end to the 18-game winning streak of Chapman senior All-American right-hander Buddy Klovstad (Orange, CA/El Modena). Klovstad (6-1), who hadn't lost a game since 2004, finished with a seven-hitter and one walk, while striking out nine in his second complete game of the season.

Klovstad's 18-game winning streak, a Chapman record, started with an 8-1 win over Menlo on April 24, 2004 and included a 10-0 All-American season last year. He won his first six games this season before suffering only his third collegiate loss (21-3). He was one win short of tying for ninth place in NCAA Division III history.

The Raptors scored all three of their runs in the first inning on a two-run single by senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and a double steal by Faragasso and junior designated hitter Butch Amato (Haddon Heights, NJ/Paul VI), with Amato scoring.

Senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) opened the game with a single to center. Junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland) added a one-out single to left. After both runners advanced a base on a failed pickoff play, Amato walked to load the bases. Faragasso delivered his two-run single to center field, chasing Amato to third. Amato scored moments later on the double steal with Faragasso.

Chapman, which left 13 runners on base, collected single runs in the second and third innings off Lihotz. Freshman shortstop Kurt Yacko (Costa Mesa, CA/Mater Dei) had an RBI single in the second inning and freshman first baseman Patrick Ohail (Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza) singled home a run in the third.

Yacko, Ohail, senior left fielder Brian Brubaker (Denver, CO/Cherry Creek) and sophomore designated hitter Steve Fraser (Long Beach, CA/Millikan) each collected two hits for the Panthers.

For Rutgers-Camden, senior third baseman Tyler Inkster (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) went 2-for-4 as the lone Raptor with multiple hits.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Friday with a pair of games in the California Invitational at University of Redlands in Redlands, Cal. In their first game, they face Wesleyan (CT) University at 9 a.m. (Pacific), followed by a game against Redlands at 2 p.m.

Rutgers-Camden concludes its West Coast trip over the weekend with two games in the California Invitational. The Raptors play at Whittier College in Whittier, Cal., on Saturday morning (9 a.m. Pacific). They finish their nine-game trip Sunday (12 p.m. Pacific) at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Rutgers-Camden returns home Tuesday, March 21, with a 3 p.m. game against Gwynedd-Mercy College.

Whittier College edges
Rutgers-Camden, 7-6

WHITTIER, CA - The Whittier College baseball team pushed across the winning run in the top of the 11th inning, batting as the visiting team, as it outlasted Rutgers University-Camden, 7-6, in a California Classic game here March 12.

The loss drops the Scarlet Raptors to 5-5 and leaves them at 2-2 on their trip to California. Whittier College improves to 8-8.

The Poets opened the 10th with back-to-back singles by sophomore center fielder Charles Acker (La Habra Heights, CA) and senior left fielder Ulli Wermuth (Mainz, Germany). Senior second baseman Greg Garchar (Concord, CA) sacrificed the runners to second and third, and Acker scored the winning run on a ground out by sophomore third baseman Matt Morgado (Wahiawa, HI).

Morgado, who collected four RBIs on the day, also had a three-run double in the Whittier fifth.

Rutgers-Camden, which was down by 6-2 midway through the sixth inning, chipped back with a run in the seventh and tied the game with a three-run bottom of the ninth. The big frame was sparked by a pair of seniors out of Audubon High School, third baseman Tyler Inkster and shortstop Brian Jakubowski. Inkster opened the inning with a single and Jakubowski doubled him to third. Senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) singled home one run and junior center fielder Nate Buchter (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) walked to load the bases.

Junior left fielder Mike Morris (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) tied the game with a two-run single. Junior designated hitter Tom Terrill (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) singled to load the bases with nobody out, but the Poets wriggled out of the jam on a force at the plate, a called third strike and a ground out.

Senior right fielder Aaron Sheehy (Burbank, CA) went 3-for-4 with two runs for Whittier.

Jakubowski went 3-for-6 with one run for the Scarlet Raptors, pushing his career total to 95 hits. Calloway, Buchter, Terrill and senior second baseman Nick Faragasso (Sewell, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) each added two hits for the Raptors, who out-hit Whittier, 14-13.

The Raptors return to Thursday with a 2:30 p.m. (Pacific) game at Chapman University in Orange, CA. Chapman, ranked No. 4 nationally in the pre-season Collegiate Baseball Division III poll, is the defending NCAA West Regional champion.

Scarlet Raptors' Galbraith hurls
shutout in 17-0 win at Occidental

LOS ANGELES, CA - Junior right-hander Greg Galbraith (Westville, NJ/Gateway Regional) hurled a four-hit shutout to power the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team over Occidental College, 17-0, in a non-conference morning game here March 12 at the California Classic.

The game, stopped after seven innings by a 10-run rule, lifted the Scarlet Raptors to 5-4. The Tigers fell to 5-11.

In posting his first collegiate win, Galbraith (1-0) walked one and struck out three. He retired the first eight batters before allowing a two-out single in the third inning by freshman second baseman Matt Jones (Bradbury, CA). He didn't allow another hit until a one-out single in the fifth inning. The Tigers didn't get their final two hits until the seventh inning.

Offensively, the Scarlet Raptors drilled 14 hits off five Occidental pitchers. They scored the only run Galbraith needed in the first inning when senior shortstop Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) hit a leadoff single and advanced on an error and a passed ball. He scored on a sacrifice fly by senior first baseman Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional), who extended his program career record to 10 sacrifice flies.

Rutgers-Camden added four runs in the second inning, capped by a two-run double by Jakubowski.

The Scarlet R