Box score

Jersey City, NJ... A seven-run first inning sparked an offensive outburst as The College of New Jersey baseball team defeated New Jersey City University 20-12 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Friday.

The Lions (19-8, 6-5 NJAC) registered their fifth consecutive conference win and pushed its NJAC record over the .500 mark for the first time this season. TCNJ's offense exploded for a season-high 20 runs on 23 hits to top the Gothic Knights (6-24, 1-11 NJAC) for the second day in a row.

The Lions plated seven runs in the top of the first, despite having two outs and nobody on before the rally ignited. TCNJ followed with crooked numbers in the second, third, and fourth innings to post their 19th win of the season.

Junior Mike Galeotafiore (Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) collected a career-high five hits in the game to highlight a box score packed with numbers. He also scored three times and drove in four runs. Sophomore Nick Cifelli (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) scored a career-best four runs and matched a career-high with four hits. He also knocked in three runs in the game.

TCNJ jumped out to a 7-0 lead before NJCU got a turn at the plate. Galeotafiore, sophomore Michael Murphy (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Tech), Cifelli, and freshman Joe Dispoto (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) all drove in runs with hits in the inning. The Lions came back with three runs in the second, two in the third, and four more in the fourth inning.

Junior Eric Lewis (Montagh, NY/W.C. Mepham) improved to 4-1 on the season pitching six innings and striking out three. Junior Mike Ham (Sparta, NJ/Pope John XXIII) tossed the final three innings of relief to earn his second save of the season.

Sophomore Scott Kelly (West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor North) snapped out of a short-lived lull by ripping three hits, including a pair of doubles and four RBIs. Murphy continued his standout sophomore season by tallying three more hits, scoring twice, and knocking in a pair of runs. Murphy is now hitting .400 (36-for-90) this season.

Junior Jimmy Ruzich (Verona, NJ/Montclair Kimberly Academy) got things rolling with a two-out double in the first. He finished with two hits, two runs score, and two RBIs, while sophomore Andrew Priece also had a pair of safeties and two runs batted in.

TCNJ returns to George Ackerman Park tomorrow for an NJAC doubleheader again Ramapo College. The first game is slated for 11:30 a.m.

Notes

Galeotafiore scored his 100th career run in the game, while head coach Dean Glus notched his 99th career coaching victory.

With wet weather threatening in the forecast for Family/Military Day tomorrow, check the website tomorrow morning for any news on schedule changes. If there is nothing posted, the games will be played as scheduled.