Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Senior Day insert

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey came up big in its final weekend as they swept a doubleheader from Richard Stockton College by scores of 4-3 and 6-1 on Saturday afternoon in George Ackerman Park.
 
The victories clinched a post-season berth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs. The Lions stand at 8-10 in the conference standings and will await the results of ongoing NJAC contests to determine whether they will be the fifth or sixth seed.
 
The starting pitching was outstanding for TCNJ as junior Connor Smith (West Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell) and senior Brendan Kelly (Butler, NJ/Butler) each tossed complete games to propel the Lions to their most cirtical wins of the season.
 
Richard Stockton felt to 16-18 and 6-12 in the NJAC and are eliminated from post-season contention.
 
Game 1:  The College of New Jersey 4   Richard Stockton 3
 
Smith provided the dominant performance the Lions need to open the doubleheader. He registered his fifth complete game of the season and sixth win overall. Smith scattered seven hits and struck out three, while giving three runs (two unearned).
 
Sophomore Garen Turner (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) put the Lions on the board in the opening frame. He laced a double to left-center to score junior Anthony Cocuzza (Absecon, NJ/St. Augustine Prep), who had singled. Turner then moved over the second on a ground ball to the right side and eventually scored on an error by the second baseman to go up 2-0.
 
The Ospreys cut the deficit in half in the third inning. First baseman Erik Danser doubled and moved to third on a ground ball out. A base hit by Luke Root scored Danser to make it a 2-1 game.
 
An run-scoring single off the bat of Travis Marra tied the game. George Eisenhart started a two-out rally with a base hit. He moved to second on a wild pitch and Marra's hit to center field.
 
The Lions regained the lead in the fifth, scoring two runs on three hits. John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) singled up the middle and stole second. Turner lined a single to left field to advance Rizzi, who sprinted home courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Pat Roberts (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough). Junior Josh Limon (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) then scorched a double to left-center to bring home Turner and extend the lead to 4-2.
 
Richard Stockton was able to manufacture a run in the sixth to make it a one-run game. Mark Jankowski lifted a sacrifice fly to score Andy Oliver. But Smith retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth before getting a game-ending double-play ball to secure the victory.
 
Rizzi finished with three hits, while Turner, Limon, and Dispoto all collected two hits. Danser had three hits for the Ospreys and Marra chipped in with a pair.
 
 
Game 2:  The College of New Jersey 6   Richard Stockton College 1

A three-run first inning was all the offense Kelly would end up needing. Taking the mound on 'Senior Day', Kelly was in complete command for nine innings. He surrendered just one run and struck out five. Kelly did not walk a batter in the game, and a second-inning home run by the Ospreys, didn't allow a runner past second base all game.
 
In that opening frame, Roberts drilled a double to right-center field to score Cocuzza. Turner, who had singled earlier in the inning, dashed home on a passed ball. Limon followed with a sharp single to plate Roberts and the Lions quickly held a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Ospreys got a run back thanks to a powerful swing from Danser. He launched his first home run of the season over the netting in left field to make it a 3-1 game.
 
The Lions took advantage of a defensive error in the second as Rizzi reached base with two outs. Cocuzza drew a walk and Turner singled to right-center to plate Rizzi.
 
They tacked on single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Senior Joe Dispoto (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) smacked an RBI-single in the fifth and Turner stroke a sacrifice fly in the sixth to score freshman Ben Varone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee).
 
Kelly took care of business from there and also received some strong defensive play from his infield. They turned a pair of double plays, including one in the ninth to seal the sweep. The Lions played error for the first time in 16 games.
 
Turner had a big day at the plate and finished the nightcap with three hits, two runs batted in, and two runs scored. Rizzi also continued to shine with three more hits and six on the day. He is now hitting .370 overall and .429 in conference games.
 
Limon and Varone added two hits in the win.
 
Danser also had a big day going 6-for-7 in the doubleheader with a double and a home run.
 
The opening round of the NJAC playoffs is scheduled for Tuesday. The game is played at the home park of the higher seed.