Glassboro, N.J. – Stockton University (22-19) generated scoring chances but was downed 3-1 by #19 Rowan University (29-11) in the first round of the double elimination NJAC Tournament. The setback relegated Stockton to the losers' bracket.
 
Freshman C.J. Fredericks (Jobstown/Northern Burlington) went 2-2 for a pair of Stockton's six hits and also walked once. Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) was 1-4 with an RBI. The Ospreys supplemented their six hits with eight walks and two hit batters in the contest.
 
Stockton pitchers Stephen DeMilio (Tuckerton/Pinelands) and Dylan Sakele (Rumson/Rumson-Fair Haven) held a Rowan offense that was averaging 9.7 runs per game to just three, but the Ospreys left 12 men on base.
 
The Profs scored one run apiece in the fourth, sixth and eighth frames. Stockton stranded two runners on base in five of the first eight innings and trailed 3-0 entering their last chance in the top of the ninth.
 
Tommy Talbot (Howell/Howell) led off with a single and walks to Michael Antonucci (Manasquan/Manasquan) and Kevin Novobilsky (Ocean Twp./Ocean Twp.) loaded the bases with one out.
 
Nitti lofted a sacrifice fly that brought Talbot home, but the attempt at a rally fell short and Stockton fell 3-1.
 
DeMilio pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks. The Profs tallied one run off Sakele in the eighth frame.
 
For Rowan, Dylan Maria went 3-4 with a double, two RBI and a run. Maria also came out of the bullpen to induce all three outs in the ninth inning for a save. Jason Morgan contributed two hits and an RBI for the Profs.
 
The remainder of the tournament will be played at Kean University, with Stockton facing Kean in an elimination game on Saturday at noon.