Box score

Ewing, NJ … A late-game rally fell short as The College of New Jersey baseball team dropped a 3-2 decision to New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Rowan University.

It was the second time in a week the Lions (8-12, 2-3 NJAC) endured a 3-2 loss to the Profs (13-6, 5-0 NJAC) as Rowan snuck away with its ninth, one-run win this season.

Senior Greg Spatz (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) threw very well for TCNJ working seven innings giving up two runs on five hits striking out three. But he was matched by Prof starter Mike Swietanksi (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford) who notched his first win of the season limiting the Lions to one run scattering five hits and striking out three.

Freshman Nick Cifelli (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) gave TCNJ an early lead stroking a two-out, run-scoring single in the first inning. Rowan tied the game up in the third on an RBI single off the bat of junior Scott Weaver (Medford, NJ/Shawnee).

The Lions defense has struggled the last few games, but flashed some leather in the sixth inning to keep the score tied at one. After a leadoff walk, the Profs attempted a sacrifice bunt but popped it up foul. Catcher Mike Galeotafiore (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) made a diving catch in foul territory to secure the first out. After a second walk, junior Brad Woodend (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) hit a ground ball to the right of second baseman Scott Kelly (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor North). Kelly wisely tagged the sliding runner out at second before firing to first for the inning-ending double play.

Rowan manufactured a run to take a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Senior Dave Lenig (Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Memorial) singled to right-center and advanced to second when sophomore Marc Magliaro (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Twp) bunted him over. Matt Citro (Bloomsbury, NJ/Phillipsburg) followed with a base hit through the middle to give the Profs the go-ahead run.

They tacked on a third run in the seventh and it proved to be the difference. The Lions loaded the bases on a walk and singles by Kelly and sophomore Ed Zakrzewski (Three Bridges, NJ/Hunterdon Central), But Rowan closer John O'Hara (Clayton, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) worked out of the jam notching his third save of the season.

Cifelli finished with three hits for TCNJ while Kelly and Zakrzewski chipped in with two hits each. Senior A.J. Adamczyk (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan) tossed the final two innings surrendering a run on two hits.

The Lions visit Kean University tomorrow at 3:30 p.m before returning home to play New Jersey City University in an NJAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 10 starting at 11:30 p.m. Rowan visits Richard Stockton College tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.