Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey suffered a 9-4 setback to Rutgers University-Camden in New Jersey Athletc Conference action on Friday afternoon in George Ackerman Park.
 
The loss evens the Lions' season record at 13-13 and conference mark at 6-6. The Scarlet Raptors improved to 16-10 overall and held a share of first place in the conference standings at 10-2.
 
The game was tight through the first five innings, but a six-run sixth by RUC was the difference in the match. Catcher Jon Theckston belted a two-out, two-strike grand slam to highlight the Scarlet Raptor outburst.


Another first-inning run for the Lions gave them a 1-0 lead. Junior John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) singled through the left side and promptly stole second base. Junior Mark Mari (Bayonne, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) dropped a bunt single and Rizzi dashed home on a wild pitch to put TCNJ on the board.
 
RUC tied the game in the second, but in the third, senior Michael Murrary (Stewartsville, NJ/Phillipsburg) led off with a single. Sophomore Ben Varone (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) laid down a sacrifice bunt, and an errant throw on the play put runners at second and third. Senior Anthony Cocuzza (Absecon, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) delivered an RBI-groundout to second to make it a 2-1 game.
 
The Scarlet Raptors loaded the bases with three singles in the sixth. Bobby Romano singled to right, Adam Bartholomew stroked a base hit to center and shortstop Pedro Perez lined a base hit through the middle. With one out, Romano raced home on a wild pitch. Billy Jackson then drew a full-count walk, and with two outs, Joe Sigismondi worked a free pass to force in a run.
 
With two outs and the bases still loaded, Theckston drove a 1-2 pitch that just cleared the left-field wall for a grand slam home run. It was his first home run of the season and gave RUC a 7-2 advantage.
 
The visitor tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Joe Brooks roped a run-scoring double and Romano followed with an RBI-triple.
 
TCNJ cut the deficit to 9-4 in the eighth. Rizzi was hit by a pitch and stole second. Cocuzza singled to left and both runner were chased home when Patrick Roberts (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) doubled to left-center.
 
Freshman Patrick McCarthy (Allentown, NJ/Allentown) made his collegiate debut and pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Lions.
 
Rookie starter Matt Curry (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) did a solid job, pitching five and one-third innings for TCNJ. Senior Benito Gonzalez (Perth Amboy, NJ/Princeton) tossed two and third-thirds innings of relief and struck out a batter.
 
Junior Garen Turner (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) finished 3-for-3 on the day. Rizzi score two more runs and pushed his NJAC-leading total to 35 on the season.
 
The Lions continue NJAC play tomorrow when they visit Ramapo College to play a doubleheader beginning at 11:30 a.m.