Ewing, NJ… The score made have been one sided, but it was huge rally in doubles that ignited The College of New Jersey men's tennis team to a 9-0 whitewashing of visiting Hobart College on Saturday.
 
The Lions (4-1) had already earned two points in doubles as the first and third teams earning victories. With the third and pivotal point still available, the Hobart team raced out to a 7-4 lead, leaving them one point away from climbing back into the match. TCNJ's sophomore pairing of Jack August (Medford, NJ/Home Schooled) and Mike Stanley (Newtown, PA/Council Rock North) stormed back to tie the match and then took control in the tiebreaker 7-0 to pull out an exciting 9-8 win and give the hosts a sweep in doubles.
 
The first of the other two points in doubles was earned by the top pairing of juniors Pierce Cooper (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) and Billy Buchbinder (Scotch Plains, NJ/Wardlaw-Hartridge) as they won 8-1. The third team of freshmen Sean Fernandez (Emerson, NJ/Bergen Catholic) and Chris D'Agostino (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) notched the other point coming out on top 8-5.
 
August was also involved in the most exciting match in singles play as he captured a three-set win by the scores of 4-6, 6-1, 10-3.
 
Cooper started singles with a 6-1, 6-2 win in the first spot and after August's win, the Lions won the final four matches to complete the shutout. Winning in the third through sixth positions were Buchbinder (6-1, 6-2), D'Agostino (6-1, 6-3), Fernandez (6-4, 6-3) and Stanley (6-0, 6-1).
 
The Lions are right back on the court, tomorrow when they host the University of Rochester at noon.
 
The College of New Jersey 9, Hobart 0
Singles competition
1. Pierce Cooper (TCNJ) def. Michael Rusk (HOB) 6-1, 6-2
2. Jack August (TCNJ) def. Michael Fields (HOB) 4-6, 6-1, 10-3
3. Billy Buchbinder (TCNJ) def. Colin Marker (HOB) 6-1, 6-2
4. Chris D'Agostino (TCNJ) def. Harry Nichols (HOB) 6-1, 6-3
5. Sean Fernandez (TCNJ) def. Matt DePrima (HOB) 6-4, 6-3
6. Mike Stanley (TCNJ) def. Miles Singer (HOB) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Pierce Cooper/Billy Buchbinder (TCNJ) def. Michael Fields/Matt DePrima (HOB) 8-1
2. Jack August/Mike Stanley (TCNJ) def. Michael Rusk/Colin Marker (HOB) 9-8 (7-0)
3. Sean Fernandez/Chris D'Agostino (TCNJ) def. Harry Nichols/Danny Kot (HOB) 8-5