Holly Springs, NC... The 10th ranked College of New Jersey Baseball team began the 2018 NCAA Division III Championships with a 5-2 win over Alvernia University today. With the win, the Lions improve to 29-9 on the campaign while the Golden Wolves drop to 28-14.

Alvernia struck first with a run in the 1st inning, then in the top of the 2nd the leadoff man reached first. Tommy McCarthy (Allentown, NJ/Allentown) made a diving catch after charging in on a bunt, then threw to first for the double play.

The Lions used a two out rally to push across a pair in the 2nd. David Cardona III (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) began the offense with a line drive ground rule double to deep center field. Jacob Simon (Hightstown, NJ/Hightstown) drove in Cardona with an RBI single up the middle, then Patrick Anderson (Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) knocked in Simon with an RBI double to left center.

In the 5^th inning, the Lions struck again as Zachary Shindler (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) drove in Anderson with a line drive single to right field to make it 3-1. The Lions scored two more in the 6^th, as Cardona pushed over another with an RBI groundout and Thomas Persichetti (Hamilton, NJ/Notre Dame) tacked on another with a line drive base hit through the left side.

Starting pitcher Joe Cirillo (Fairfield, NJ/DePaul Catholic) recovered quickly after allowing a run in the opening inning, and did not allow another run until the 9th inning. He threw his third complete game of the season and allowed only two runs on six hits while striking out four. The victory gives him 26 on his career, which puts him tied for second place all-time in program history.

Anderson, batting leadoff for the first time in his career went 3-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Persichetti went 2-3 with an RBI and Shindler went 2-4 with an RBI. As a team, the Lions bats were hot as they tallied 11 hits including four doubles.

"Today's game against Alvernia was a good win for us," Stated Head Coach Dean Glus. "We played earlier in the season and lost to them, and we play each other every year so we know each other very well. They are a very good team, and when we have Joe on the mound we know we're gonna have a great shot at winning the game... It was a good win and anytime you win the first game in Regionals its a good stepping stone and you can relax until tomorrow nights game."

The Lions will now await the winner of Christopher Newport University and Denison University, who play tonight at 7pm. The Lions game tomorrow will also begin at 7pm.