Box Score
Ewing, NJ – The College of New Jersey turned back Richard Stockton College 6-5 to win their fifth consecutive conference game. The Ospreys staged a late-game rally scoring four runs in the ninth inning, but the Lions seized victory after a failed suicide squeeze attempt resulted in a game-ending double play.
A gutty performance from senior right-hander Dan Anderson (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) held the Richard Stockton (13-12, 2-9) offense in check through six innings. Anderson (3-2) surrendered one run while scattering seven hits. Sophomore Joe Marchitelli (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) also threw two innings of shutout relief, giving up just one hit and striking out two.
The Lions (16-12-1, 8 -3) jumped out to an early lead in the opening frame scoring two runs without a hit, taking advantage of a walk and three Ospey errors. With one out, James Ruzich (Verona, NJ/Montclair Kimberly Academy) walked and Jeff Toth (Parlin, NJ/Sayreville) lined a ball that was mishandled by the right fielder. Ruzich raced to third on the play and came into score on a wild pitch. Toth scored his 44th run of the season when junior Chris Esperon (Union, NJ/Union Catholic) reached on an error.
Freshman Andrew Priece (Bridgewater,NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) walked to lead off the second and advanced on catcher Mike Galeotafiore's (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) single to right field. Anthony Palmiotto (Manchester, NJ/Manchester Township) legged out a bunt single to load the bases before an RBI ground ball by Adam Tussey (Brooklawn, NJ/Gloucester) plated Priece and pushing the Lions lead to 3-0.
Richard Stockton answered back with a run in the third when Matt Hunt (Marlton, NJ/St. Joseph's) drew a leadoff walk and starting pitcher Scott Fisher (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) followed with a bunt single. With two outs, Dan McGuckin (Sicklerville, NJ/Winslow Twp) lined a base hit to right to drive to cut the Lions lead to 3-1.
TCNJ picked up two runs in the fourth and tacked on what proved to be the deciding run in the seventh on an RBI single by Galeotafiore, who had three hits on the day. Esperon also chipped in with a pair of doubles.
Richard Stockton would not go quietly entering the final frame down 6-1. Matt Allen (Salem, NJ/Woodstown) led off the ninth with his second hit of the day and scored when Hunt doubled off the fence in left-center field. Fisher, who had three hits in the game, reached on an error which scored Hunt to make it a 6-3 game. Freshman Marc Asta (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) then lined a single and Mike Wasco (Riverside, NJ/Riverside) ripped a RBI double to close the gap to 6-4. With runners on a second and third, senior Eric Gertie (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) threw a pitch that got past Galeotafiore, allowing Fisher to race home to make it 6-5 with nobody out.
Gertie settled down to induce the next hitter to pop out to Galeotafiore for the first out. Richard Stockton then attempted a suicide squeeze to tie the game, but the batter bunted the ball in the air to Ruzich at first base. He then raced across the diamond to touch third for the game-ending double play, sealing their fifth straight conference win.
TCNJ plays at home again tomorrow hosting William Patterson University in an NJAC doubleheader, while Richard Stockton returns home to take on Montclair State University.
