Box score

Camden, NJ ... The College of New Jersey baseball team could not overcome staking Rutgers University Camden to nine first-inning runs as they lost by a final score of 13-8.

The Lions (6-10, 0-2 NJAC) did their best to get themselves back in the contest with six runs in the sixth inning, but the hole was simply too deep as the Scarlet Raptors (10-5, 1-0 NJAC) added runs in the second and fourth innings to seize their first conference victory of the season.

With the game seemingly out of the reach early on, the Lions did manage to play with some pride and plate eight runs in the contest to make it a game. Senior Chris Esperon (Union, NJ/Union Catholic) had three hits, scored a pair of runs, and knocked another. Freshman Mike Murphy (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech) had another productive day at the plate with two hits and two RBIs while rookie Scott Kelly (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor-North) also had two hits including a triple.

But pitching and defense wins game and TCNJ had difficulty containing the Rutgers offense as six starters enjoyed multi-hit games. The Scarlet Raptors took advantage of everything they were given including three Lion errors, seven issued walks, and a hit batsman.

Sophomore Rick Nuel (Hamilton, NJ/Hamilton West) had a solid outing out of the bullpen going six and one-third innings giving up three runs while striking out two.

The good news for the Lions' is that they can dust themselves off and get right back at it tomorrow. TCNJ continues its four-game road swing to open up conference play visiting Ramapo College for a double header starting tomorrow at 11:30.