Box score

Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey baseball team lost for first time in 10 games as they dropped a 10-3 decision to Messiah College.

The Lions (13-3) struggled defensively making five errors in the game as the Falcons (12-11) took advantage to claim their eighth straight win.

Junior Mike Galeotafiore (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) had three hits in the loss, while junior Jimmy Ruzich (Verona, NJ/Montclair Kimberly) and sophomore Scott Kelly (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor North) each had a pair of safeties.

The Lions held a 3-2 lead entering the seventh, but a five-run inning by Messiah proved to be fatal for the host. The big blow was a two-out, bases loaded triple to right-center by junior Wes Hollenbach (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin). He scored on an overthrow and a tie game quickly became a 7-3 advantage for Messiah.

The Lions took a 1-0 advantage in the first. Kelly led off with a base hit, and Ruzich singled through the middle to plate Kelly. Messiah answered with a run in the second when senior Jaime Scott (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) drove in junior Tory Arnesen (Princeton, NJ/Rutgers Prep) with a base hit to center field.

TCNJ starter Eric Lewis (Wantagh, NY/W.C. Mepham) left the game with a 3-2 lead after throwing six solid innings allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five. He helped his own cause with the score tied 1-1 in the third. After a leadoff double, he wheeled and picked the runner off second base. Junior John Brubacker then stroked a two-out single, but Lewis picked off his second runner to end the inning.

TCNJ pulled ahead in the fourth thanks to a pair of two-out doubles from sophomore Andrew Priece (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater) and Kelly. Sophomore Michael Murphy (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech) grounded a base hit through the left side, and Priece and Kelly followed with extra base hits to left-center field.

But the Falcons plated the game's final nine runs halting the Lions nine-game winning streak. Hollenbach finished with three hits, while Brubaker and senior Jordan Snader (Franklin, MA/Franklin) had two hits each. Junior Zach Adams (Lancaster, PA/Conestoga Valley) earned his first mound victory of the season.

Earlier in the day, it was announced the Lions are currently ranked 17th in Division III in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) poll.

The Lions return home Thursday, March 31 when they host a make-up game with Gwyendd-Mercy Colleg at George Ackerman Park at 3:30 p.m.