Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (20-17, 6-9 NJAC) banged out 10 hits but fell short in a 9-5 loss to #18 Rowan University (26-10, 11-4 NJAC) on Thursday afternoon. Kevin Novobilsky (Ocean Twp./Ocean Twp.) continued his impressive rookie season with three hits including a pair of home runs.

The Profs wasted no time to start the game, plating three quick runs in the first frame, before Stockton answered with a pair of markers in the home second inning. Nick Avagnano (Paramus/Paramus) doubled, Robbie Ford (Green Twp./Newton) reached on an error, then promptly stole second base. Michael Antonucci (Manasquan/Manasquan) scored both runners with a double to slice the lead to 3-2.

Rowan came right back with four runs in the top of the third to extend the margin to 7-2, as the teams started to settle in. After three scoreless innings, Novobilsky blasted his first round-tripper in the bottom of the sixth to get Stockton closer at 7-3.

The Profs tallied two more in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 9-3 before the Ospreys crept closer in the eighth. Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) singled and scored ahead of Novobilsky's eighth homer of the season to cut the lead, but that was as close as Stockton would come in the 9-5 defeat.

Novobilsky had three RBI while Antonucci and Antonio Gatti (Howell/Howell) had two safeties each. Cooper Fiore (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) extended his hitting streak to eight straight games and his on base run to 22 consecutive contests.

Mike Schiattarella (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) tossed his first complete game of the year in the loss.

Rowan, who had five players with two or more hits, was led by Anthony Schooley with three hits and two RBI. Dylan Maria and Chris Curcio also knocked in a pair of runs.

Stockton will travel to #18 Rowan University tomorrow to finish the home-and-home series in Glassboro. Game time is scheduled for 10:30 am.