Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (4-0) notched its second straight doubleheader sweep to open the season as the Ospreys blanked Albright College (1-4) twice, winning 3-0 and 6-0. Four pitchers combined on the shutouts, with
Ray Hughes (Forked River/Lacey Twp.) and
James Manos (Freehold/Freehold Boro) earning wins.
Hughes tossed five scoreless innings in the opener. Eleven of his 15 outs were strikeouts, and he allowed just three hits and one walk.
Tyler Apt (Williamstown/Williamstown) tossed two scoreless innings for a save.
Rico Viani (Monroe Twp./Monroe Twp.) went 2-3 with a double, two runs and a stolen base to lead the offense. The game was scoreless into the fourth inning, when the Ospreys broke through for two runs. Singles by Viani and
Joe Pipher (Brick/Brick Memorial), followed by a double steal, set the stage for a two-run single by
John Perrino (Wall/Wall).
The Ospreys added an insurance run in the fifth frame as Viani walked, moved up on Pipher's second hit of the game and scored on an RBI single by
Andrew Slinger (Tinton Falls/Monmouth). Albright got one runner aboard in each of the last two innings but Apt held off the Lions to close the 3-0 win.
Manos went five scoreless innings in the nightcap, scattering five hits and fanning four while walking just one hitter. Viani pitched two perfect innings in relief. Freshman
Brendan Doherty (Middletown/Middletown North) went 3-3 with a double and two RBI while Perrino added two more hits and scored twice.
Pipher doubled home Viani in the bottom of the first for the early lead. Doherty singled in Perrino in the fourth inning and the Ospreys tacked on two more runs for a 4-0 advantage. In the fifth frame, Perrino delivered Pipher with an RBI single and later scored on an RBI double by Doherty to complete the scoring in the 6-0 victory.
Manos and Viani did not allow an Albright runner beyond second base in the game. Manos improved to 2-0 on the season, as did Hughes with his win in the opener.
Stockton will head south to Myrtle Beach for five games in three days next week, starting with a doubleheader against Penn College on Tuesday at 10 am.
