Lake Myrtle, Fla … .The College of New Jersey baseball team overcame a six-run deficit to upend Keene State College 9-8 on Thursday in Lake Myrtle, Fla.
 
The Lions (4-3) captured their second straight, one-run ballgame as they received tremendous production from the middle of the lineup and a masterful relief pitching performance from senior Benito Gonzalez (Perth Amboy, NJ/Princeton).
 
Gonzalez came on in the sixth after TCNJ tied the score in the top of the frame. He tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, striking out two and walking none. Gonzalez faced just 13 batters and also received some complimentary play from his defense to garner the win.

Trailing 8-2 in the fifth, the Lions put up four runs in the sixth punctuated by a bases clearing double by senior Josh Limon (Eastampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley). He later came around to score off a fielder's choice by Matt Facas (Florham Park, NJ/Hanover Park) and the deficit was cut to two runs.
 
In the sixth, junior John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) walked before the Owls recorded two quick outs. Junior Garen Turner (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) doubled to plate Rizzi and junior Patrick Roberts (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) singled to score Turner and the game was tied up.
 
A nearly identical scenario played out in the eighth. Rizzi drew a walk and stole second to get into scoring position. With two outs in the inning, Turner ripped his third two-bagger of the game to give the Lions the lead.
 
Holding a 9-8 advantage in the ninth, Gonzalez surrendered a base hit to open the inning. But Roberts (playing right field) fired to first to catch the runner and record the first out. Gonzalez struck out the next hitter and induced a ground ball to third to end the contest.
 
Turner finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Roberts and Mike Murray (Stewartsville, NJ/Phillipsburg) also registered three hits, while Limon punched out a pair and also scored. Facas threw out a pair of base stealers in the seventh and eighth inning to help polish the glimmering outing by Gonzalez.  
 
Freshman Matt Curry (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) took the mound for the first time in his collegiate career. He surrendered just two earned runs and struck out two.
 
TCNJ will take its two-game win streak into a twin bill tomorrow when they face off against Washington and Jefferson College at 9 a.m.