Lakeland, FL – Stockton University (1-2) took an early lead against Keene State (2-2) but was overtaken late in the game and suffered an 8-4 defeat in Florida.
Garrhet Reedy (Tinton Falls/Monmouth) and
Zach Gustites (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) each finished with a double and two RBI for the Ospreys, who were held to just four hits in the game.
Stockton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Reedy knocked a two-run double that scored
Anthony Napoli (Erial/Timber Creek) and Gustites, who had reached on an error and walk respectively. Keene State's Devin Springfield blasted a two-run homer in the fifth frame to tie the game 2-2.
In the seventh inning, Springfield tripled in the go-ahead run that made it 3-2 in favor of the Owls. The game slipped away from Stockton in the top of the ninth as Keene State plated five runs, three unearned, on three hits and an error for an 8-2 count entering the bottom of the ninth.
A Keene State error with two outs extended the game and Gustites followed with a two-run double that scored Napoli and
Brandan Gomez (Jersey City/Ferris). The unearned runs brought Stockton within 8-4 before a groundout ended the game with the Ospreys on the downside of the scoreboard.
Stockton starter
Rico Viani (Monroe Twp./Monroe Twp.) had a solid first outing in an Osprey uniform but was not involved in the decision. Viani tossed five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts.
Stockton play again tomorrow, taking on Springfield College at 5 pm.
