Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (15-19-1, 6-8 NJAC) won a huge doubleheader sweep over Montclair State (26-9, 11-3 NJAC) by scores of 11-10 in 11 innings, and 6-3 in the nightcap. Freshman Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) led the offense on the day with seven hits and four runs scored.
The first game turned into a wild affair as Stockton posted another late inning comeback. The Ospreys got on the board quickly in the opening frame with a pair of runs. With the bases loaded and one away, Thomas Elgrim (Fair Haven/Rumson-Fair Haven) walked forcing in a run. An error scored the second run and Stockton had a two-run lead.
The Red Hawks proceeded to score runs in the next six innings to take an 8-3 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, before Stockton started their rally. Luke Fabrizzi (Old Bridge/St. John Vianney) singled, and Sam Nieves (South Plainfield/South Plainfield) reached on an error. Ryan Mihlebach (Clarksboro/GCIT) doubled both runners home, and the lead was sliced to 8-5, after eight frames.
The Ospreys bullpen held MSU scoreless in the ninth, allowing Stockton to knot the game at 8-8. Ryan Swift (Sewell/Washington Twp.) and Nitti singled. Fabrizzi loaded the bases with another safety, before Elgrim plated one run with an RBI hit. Nieves singled down the right field line scoring a run, then Nitti scored on a throwing error, sending the game to extra innings.
After a scoreless 10th inning, the Red Hawks plated two runs in their half of the inning to re-take the lead at 10-8. The Ospreys then walked off the game with three markers in the bottom of the frame. Nitti singled and pinch hitter Austin Beard (Toms River/Toms River South) followed with a hit.
Elgrim bunted for a hit and the runners scored on an errant overthrow to make it 10-10. Dominic Meleo (Freehold/St. Peter's Prep) and Mihlebach walked loading the bases, setting up Tommy Talbot (Howell/Howell) with one out. His sacrifice fly scored Elgrim with the walk-off 11-10 first game victory.
In the nightcap, Montclair posted two runs in the second inning against Stockton hurler Phil Santa Maria (Absecon/ACIT). The lefty settled down after that to give Stockton a chance to score runs while holding the Red Hawks in check.
A single run in the third, two more in the fifth and a three-spot in the seventh gave Stockton all the runs in support of Santa Maria. RBI by Fabrizzi, Nitti and Nieves gave Stockton a 3-2 lead before the seventh inning uprising. Nieves and Nitti singled, then Fabrizzi used a safety squeeze to score Nieves. Meleo scored Fabrizzi and Nitti for the 6-2 lead.
The Red Hawks cut the lead in half at 6-3 after eight, but the Osprey pen came up big again and gave Stockton the 6-3 win and the sweep of the doubleheader. Santa Maria tossed 7.1 innings, scattering six hits, while striking out two in picking up his third victory of the year. Andrew Luongo (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) earned his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Miles Feaster led Montclair State with six hits in the two games with Ryan McKenna totaling four RBI.
Stockton will be off until Wednesday when they will face NYU in a non-conference game. First pitch is set for 3:30 pm.
Freshman
Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) led the offense on the day with seven hits and four runs scored.
The first game turned into a wild affair as Stockton posted another late inning comeback. The Ospreys got on the board quickly in the opening frame with a pair of runs. With the bases loaded and one away,
Thomas Elgrim (Fair Haven/Rumson-Fair Haven) walked forcing in a run. An error scored the second run and Stockton had a two-run lead.
The Red Hawks proceeded to score runs in the next six innings to take an 8-3 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, before Stockton started their rally.
Luke Fabrizzi (Old Bridge/St. John Vianney) singled, and
Sam Nieves (South Plainfield/South Plainfield) reached on an error.
Ryan Mihlebach (Clarksboro/GCIT) doubled both runners home, and the lead was sliced to 8-5, after eight frames.
The Ospreys bullpen held MSU scoreless in the ninth, allowing Stockton to knot the game at 8-8.
Ryan Swift (Sewell/Washington Twp.) and Nitti singled. Fabrizzi loaded the bases with another safety, before Elgrim plated one run with an RBI hit. Nieves singled down the right field line scoring a run, then Nitti scored on a throwing error, sending the game to extra innings.
After a scoreless 10th inning, the Red Hawks plated two runs in their half of the inning to re-take the lead at 10-8. The Ospreys then walked off the game with three markers in the bottom of the frame. Nitti singled and pinch hitter
Austin Beard (Toms River/Toms River South) followed with a hit.
Elgrim bunted for a hit and the runners scored on an errant overthrow to make it 10-10.
Dominic Meleo (Freehold/St. Peter's Prep) and Mihlebach walked loading the bases, setting up
Tommy Talbot (Howell/Howell) with one out. His sacrifice fly scored Elgrim with the walk-off 11-10 first game victory.
In the nightcap, Montclair posted two runs in the second inning against Stockton hurler
Phil Santa Maria (Absecon/ACIT). The lefty settled down after that to give Stockton a chance to score runs while holding the Red Hawks in check.
A single run in the third, two more in the fifth and a three-spot in the seventh gave Stockton all the runs in support of Santa Maria. RBI by Fabrizzi, Nitti and Nieves gave Stockton a 3-2 lead before the seventh inning uprising. Nieves and Nitti singled, then Fabrizzi used a safety squeeze to score Nieves. Meleo scored Fabrizzi and Nitti for the 6-2 lead.
The Red Hawks cut the lead in half at 6-3 after eight, but the Osprey pen came up big again and gave Stockton the 6-3 win and the sweep of the doubleheader.
Santa Maria tossed 7.1 innings, scattering six hits, while striking out two in picking up his third victory of the year.
Andrew Luongo (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) earned his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Miles Feaster led Montclair State with six hits in the two games with Ryan McKenna totaling four RBI.
Stockton will be off until Wednesday when they will face NYU in a non-conference game. First pitch is set for 3:30 pm.
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