Ewing, NJ… In a close, back and forth ballgame, The College of New Jersey used a walk off to defeat Haverford College by a final score of 4-3. Freshman Avery Epstein (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) came through with the clutch base hit to give the Lions the win in the bottom of the ninth. TCNJ improves to 10-2 on the season while Haverford drops to 7-10. 

Ryan Fischer (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) helped get the Lions on the board in the bottom of the second inning. He drove a double into the right center field gap that scored Tommy McCarthy (Allentown, NJ/Allentown) for the first run of the day. The Fords pieced together two runs in the top of third inning to take the lead, and the Lions tied it up in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Follet (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) laid down a perfect bunt between the pitcher and cather, and the throw went past the first baseman which allowed Danny Borup (Plainsboro, NJ/West Windsor Plainsboro South) to score from second. 

The game did not stay notched up at two for long, as the Fords went back ahead with an RBI sac fly in the top of the seventh. However once again the Lions clawed back. Ryan Fischer had himself a day at the plate, and he launched a two out solo home run to left that tied the seesaw game once again.

Both Fischer's came up big today for the Lions, as starting pitcher Michael Fischer (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) threw a solid seven innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) and only four hits while striking out seven Fords. The seven punch outs elevated him past 100 on his career for TCNJ. Nickolas Kleftogiannis (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) threw two impressive innings in relief and was the winning pitcher. He did not allow any runs or hits, and fanned two batters. 

In the bottom of the ninth inning, David Cardona III (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) worked a walk to lead off the inning, and freshman Aydon Chavis (Cream Ridge, NJ/Allentown) pinch ran. Ryan Fischer worked a walk, then Matt Giacose (Wycoff, NJ/Ramapo) moved over the runners with a sac bunt. Epstein came up to the plate, and hit a bouncer to the left of the third baseman and he was not able to make the tough play and the Lions walked off with the win.

The victory now puts the Lions win streak at nine. Borup continued his hot early season hitting as he went 3-4 with a run scored. Ryan Fischer was 2-3 with a HR, 2B, 2RBIs, and a run scored, while Follet went 2-4. The RBI was the first of Epstein's career, while the run was the first of Chavis' career.

The Lions will resume play with the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener on Saturday, March 31st at Rutgers-Newark with the first pitch of game one at 11:30am.