Box Score
Newark, NJ … The College of New Jersey dropped a 7-6 decision to Rutgers-Newark in a game that was called due to rain after the top of the eighth inning.
 
Because it was an official game and the Scarlet Raiders held a one-run advantage after seven full innings, they are awarded the New Jersey Athletic Conference win. The loss gives the Lions a 15-6 overall and 4-2 mark in the conference. Rutgers-Newark improved to 8-16 and 2-4 in the NJAC.
 
The top of the eighth wasn't without drama as junior Dave Rondesko (South River, NJ/South River) came up with runners on first and second and two outs. He drilled a shot to left-center that would have tied the game, but center fielder Jason McCluskey chased it down to make a great catch and end the game due to heavy rain.
 
TCNJ took a 4-0 lead with two runs in the first and second innings. Sophomore John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) and senior Joe Dispoto (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) laced consecutive singles. Junior Anthony Cocuzza (Absecon, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) followed with a base hit to left, but Rizzi was cut down at the plate. Dispoto scored the first run of the game on a passed ball and Cocuzza came home on an infield error for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the second, sophomore Matt Facas (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Varone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee). Facas moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground ball. Cocuzza lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Rizzi (hit by pitch) and the Lions led 4-0.
 
The Scarlet Raiders bounced back with a run in the second and two in the third. Two errors by TCNJ's defense led to a three-run fifth inning for Rutgers-Newark as they took a 6-4 lead. TCNJ was guilty of five errors on the day.
 
The Lions tied it up with a two-run seventh. Junior Josh Limon (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) led off with singles and Limon eventually scored on a wild pitch. Varone punched a two-out single to left to knot the game at 6 entering the bottom of the inning.
 
A Jimmy Napolitano single up the middle scored Vin Troisi with the go-ahead run, which would turn out to be the difference.
 
Freshman Ryan Duran (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) pitched the first four innings and surrendered just one earned run. Junior Michael Correa (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) pitched three solid innings in relief, but suffered the loss.
 
Cocuzza and Facas each had two hits for the Lions.
 
TCNJ returns home tomorrow for a rescheduled game against Alvernia University. The game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in George Ackerman Park.