Winter Haven, FL... The College of New Jersey baseball team dropped a 9-1 game to ninth ranked Concordia University-Chicago on Sunday by a final score of 9-1. The Lions fall to 1-2 on the year while the Cougars push their record to 7-2.

The Cougars struck first in the top of the third inning with five runs, then tacked another run on in the top of the fifth. Matt Giacose (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) fielded a base hit from left and came up throwing and delivered a laser right to the catcher Steve Bucci (Washington Twp., NJWashington Twp.) to nail the runner and end the inning. The throw beat the runner by at least five feet, and he did not even attempt to slide.

Zachary Padersky (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) made his collegiate debut as he came on in relief and threw the final four innings and only allowed one earned run and two hits, while also picking off a runner.

In the bottom of the eight inning, Thomas Persichetti (Hamilton, NJ/Notre Dame) tripled down the right field line and knocked in David Cardona III (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth). Persichetti went 2-3 on the day with the RBI and a walk.  

The Lions will return to the diamond to face Wisconsin University La-Crosse tomorrow at 1:00pm.