Box Score

Ewing, NJ…Rowan University scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to slip past The College of New Jersey baseball team 4-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both teams on Friday at George Ackerman Park.

The Lions (7-8-1) carried a 2-1 lead into the final inning thanks to a tremendous effort from starting pitcher Sean Stewart (Howell, NJ/Freehold Twp.), who did not factor in on the decision. Stewart limited the Profs to only one run on three hits over eight innings with eight strikeouts.

Rowan (11-3-1) tied the game as pinch-runner Keith Evans (Audubon, NJ/Audubon) scored on a single by John McMullin (Woodbury, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and later scored on a Lion miscue. The final run of the inning came on a run-scoring single from Scott Weaver (Ledgewood, NJ/Roxbury).

TCNJ opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as senior Jeff Toth (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville) singled up the middle to plate classmate Adam Tussey (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) putting the hosts in front 1-0.

The Lions doubled that advantage with another run in the third as Toth drove in his second of the game with another base hit. This time James Ruzich (Verona, NJ/Montclair Kimberley Academy) scored making it a 2-0 game.

Toth had a big game at the plate for the Lions going 3-for-4 and a pair of RBI.

Sophomore Kyle Norman (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Township) picked up the win in relief for the Profs, with Todd Burdette (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) picking up his seventh save of the season.

The Lions are right back in action on Saturday, March 28 hosting Rutgers-Newark for a conference doubleheader starting at noon. Rowan is also has a doubleheader slated for Saturday hosting Kean University.