Philadelphia, Pa … Arcadia University handed The College of New Jersey a 9-3 loss on Wednesday afternoon at Erny Field in Philadelphia, Pa.

The Knights (2679) smacked a pair of two-run doubles in the first and second innings and tacked on two unearned runs in the third to open an early 7-1 lead. The Lions (23-10) would cut the deficit to four runs, but the Arcadia bullpen kept TCNJ in check to secure their 27th victory of the season.

The Lions have dropped three straight for the first time this season and would look to right the ship tomorrow at George Ackerman Park. They host Williams Paterson University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match-up. TCNJ has already clinched a berth into the conference playoffs and will look to remain on top of the NJAC standings to set up the best positioning possible for the NJAC championship tournament.

Trailing 7-1 in the fifth, freshman catcher David Cardona III (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) blasted his first career home run to left field. The Lions scored their third and final run of the game in the sixth. Matt Giacose (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) singled and took second base on a wild pitch. He advanced to third on an infield ground out and touched home plate following an RBI single through the right side by Tommy McCarthy (Allentown, NJ/Allentown).

Junior Austin Lindsay (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) got the spot start on the mound for TCNJ. He went five innings before handing the ball over to rookie Gary Otten (Staten Island, NY/Monsignor Farrell). Otten tossed three innings and struck out five in his collegiate debut, allowing two runs and two hits.

McCarthy and junior Patrick Anderson (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) finished with two hits apiece in the game. Anderson is now eight for his last 12 entering conference play tomorrow.

Junior Brandon Zachary (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) will get the starting nod tomorrow. He has won his last two starts, surrendering just two runs and six hits over 12 innings, while striking out 13. The game against the Pioneers is slated to begin at 3:30.