Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey baseball team lost a tight battle to Rutgers-Newark University, 7-5 on Friday in Newark, NJ.
 
The loss puts the Lions (26-8, 10-6 NJAC) in a four-way tie for second place in the standings along with Ramapo College, Rowan University, and Montclair State University. TCNJ holds the tie-breaker over the Profs and plays the Red Hawks head-to-head tomorrow in a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 11:30 a.m. in George Ackerman Park. Kean University has clinched the NJAC regular season title.
 
A five-run seventh inning for the Scarlet Raiders (15-22. 7-9 NJAC) was the difference in the game. The Lions outhit Rutgers-Newark 12-8, but committed three errors in the field that led to three unearned runs.
 
Trailing 2-0 in the third inning, senior Patrick Roberts (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) cracked his sixth home run of the year. It was a two-run shot to right, scoring Patrick Anderson, who had singled.
 
The Lions surged to a 5-2 lead in the fifth. Senior John Rizzi (Long Hill, NJ/Watchung Hills) and Anderson singled to lead off the inning. Roberts walked to load the bases and senior Garen Turner (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) grounded out to force in a run. Sophomore Zachary Shindler (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) served a two-run single in left field to take a three-run lead.
 
RNU erupted for five runs in the seventh, however, to take a 7-5 lead. They strung together three hits and capitalized on two Lions errors to take command of the contest. Their bullpen took care of the rest to keep the Scarlet Raiders hopes of a playoff berth alive.
 
TCNJ senior Eric Teesdale (Statford, NJ/Sterling) was the tough-luck loser, pitching six and third innings. He surrendered seven runs (four earned) and struck out five. Freshman Michael Fischer (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) pitched an inning and two-thirds of relief.
 
The top of the Lions line-up pounded out seven hits in the game. Rizzi and Anderson had a pair and Roberts finished 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Junior CJ Gearhart (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) also had two hits.
 
TCNJ hosts Montclair State tomorrow in a twin-bill starting at 11:30 a.m