Ewing, NJ… In the 2018 season opener, The College of New Jersey Baseball team defeated Gwynedd Mercy University by a final score of 10-4 on Wednesday afternoon. The Lions improve to 1-0, and the Griffins fall to 1-2. 

The Griffins got two runs on the board in the top of the first inning, however the Lions countered with three in the bottom of the first. Austin Lindsay (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) knocked in a run with a base hit, then two batters later Mike Follet (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee)  ripped an RBI single to right. Tommy McCarthy (Allentown, NJ/Allentown) laced an RBI double down the left field line to make it 3-2 Lions. After that, they would not relinquish the lead.

The Lions added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Thomas Persichetti (Hamilton, NJ/Notre Dame) pushed in a run with an RBI sac fly. Patrick Anderson (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) singled in another run, then McCarthy remained locked in as he racked up another RBI to push the Lions lead to 7-2. After the Griffins pulled back within 7-4, the Lions scored three more. Follet tallied another RBI single, then Jacob Simon (Hightstown, NJ/Hightstown) scored on a wild pitch. Follet scored on a fielders choice as he beat the throw to the plate after a ground ball to put the Lions up 10-4.

Earning the win was Michael Fischer (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) who put forward a solid start as he threw 5.2 innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out four. Dylan Crowley (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge) threw 1.1 clean innings of relief, and Joe Cirillo (Fairfield, NJ/DePaul Catholic) and Matt Curry (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) each threw a scoreless inning to secure the win.

At the plate, McCarthy finished the day 3-3 with three RBIs and a run scored, and Follet went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Simon went 2-4 with a run scored, Anderson went 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. 

Next up for the Lions is a home doubleheader on Saturday, March 3rd against Keene State University beginning at 11:00 AM.