Newark, NJ – Stockton University (16-23-1, 6-12 NJAC) ended the regular season on a sour note, as the Ospreys dropped a doubleheader to Rutgers-Newark (16-18, 6-12 NJAC) by identical scores of 8-4 and 8-4 in both games. Freshman
Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) had a hit in both games to break the single season hits mark of 65 set by Matt Allen in 2010.
Stockton fell behind by 4-1 after five innings in game one, until the Ospreys broke through for three markers in the top of the seventh inning.
Ryan Mihlebach (Clarksboro/GCIT) walked, stole second and advanced to third on a fly ball.
Giovanni Sciarrotta (Barnegat/Steinert) scored him for the first run of the inning.
With the bases loaded and two out, Nitti singled home two runs to give Stockton a tie at 4-4. Unfortunately, the visitors could not hold the lead as Newark plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth and captured game one with the 8-4 victory.
The nightcap saw the Scarlet Raiders jump out to a 3-1 lead after two innings, only to see Stockton rally to take a 4-3 lead after four frames. The Ospreys scored twice in the top of the fourth inning to take the advantage.
With two outs,
Dominic Meleo (Freehold/St. Peters' Prep) reached on an error and scored when
Robbie Ford (Green Twp./Newton) doubled. Nitti then stroked his record-breaking 66th hit through the right side to score Ford and a 4-3 lead.
Once again, the home team rallied scoring five times in their final three at bats take an 8-4 lead. The Raiders' hurlers held Stockton to just five hits from the fifth inning on to take the sweep of the twin bill by the final of 8-4.
Sciarrotta had five hits on the day with Ford smacking four safeties. Nitti had three RBI to go with is record setting day.
The Ospreys set a couple of new records this season. The pitching staff struck out 250 batters, eclipsing the mark of 234 set in 2009. They were led by junior
Mike Schiattarella (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) who fanned 80 hitters, moving into second in the single season in Stockton history. Offensively, the team posted 23 triples, shattering the record of 18 set in 2005.
