Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey baseball team battled sloppy conditions and a three-run deficit to defeat Gwynedd-Mercy University 4-3 in a rain-shortened contest at George Ackerman Park.

Sophomore John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh inning, lining an RBI-single to left field with two outs to score pinch-runner Pete Kennedy (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell).

That run proved to be difference in the outcome. The game was called prior to the bottom of the eighth inning starting due to unplayable field conditions. The Griffins (6-5) had actually tied the game in the top of the eighth, but because the inning could not be completed, the score reverted back to the last full inning.

Sophomore Joseph Dilorenzo (West Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) earned his first collegiate win, pitching two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed just one hit and struck out two. Freshman Ryan Duran (River Edge, NJ/River Dell Regional) pitched well through the first five innings, giving up just two unearned runs while striking out a pair.

The Lions (6-4) fell behind early as the Griffins took a 1-0 lead in the second. Mike Marchitto led off the inning with a double to left-center. Eric Heaney followed with a single to left to plate Marchitto with the first run of the game.

They tacked on two more in the fourth. Marchitto hustled his way to a stand-up double to put runners on second and third. Frank Saviski delivered a single up the middle to score Dante Cassano, who had walked to open the inning. Marchitto came around to score on an error and Gwynedd-Mercy owned a 3-0 lead.

With runners on first and third and nobody out, Duran escaped any further damage by striking out the next hitter and then inducing a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

A three-run rally with two outs in the fifth knotted the game 3-3. Third baseman Jake DeWitt (Florence, NJ/Florence) and sophomore Matt Facas (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) drew back-to-back walks with one out. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch with two outs, Rizzi lined a two-run singled to center field. He hustled to second on the throw home to get into scoring position for senior Joe Dispoto (Nutley, NJ/Nutley).

The senior left fielder stroked a sharp single up the middle to chase Rizzi home from second and tie the ballgame.
In the seventh, Facas walked and was lifted for Kennedy on the basepaths. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Ben Varone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee). With two outs, Rizzi lined a base hit to left field. Head coach Dean Glus waved Kennedy around and he beat the throw to give TCNJ the go-ahead run.

Rizzi finished with two hits, three RBIs, and also scored a run. Dispoto and junior Josh Limon (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) had the only two other hits for the Lions.

Marchitto knocked out two doubles and Heaney also finished with a pair of safeties.

TCNJ visits Penn State-Abington tomorrow before returning home to host Drew University at George Ackerman Park at 3:30 p.m.