Newark, NJ – Stockton University (11-9, 2-0 NJAC) opened New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play with a doubleheader sweep over Rutgers-Newark (15-7, 0-2 NJAC) on Saturday afternoon by scores of 8-3 and 15-5.
Evan Bresnen (Allentown/Steinert) led the offense on the day with five hits and four RBI.
After a scoreless first three innings in game one, the Ospreys plated three runs in the top of the fourth frame.
Nick Avagnano (Paramus/Paramus),
Max Kaplan (Wall/Wall) doubled, and
Tucker Elder (Ewing/Ewing) reached on an error scoring Avagnano. Bresnen had his first RBI of the day and
Robbie Ford (Green Twp./Newton) followed suit for the 3-0 lead.
The Scarlet Raiders closed the lead to 3-2 with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, before Stockton put the game away with another three spot in the top of the seventh. Bresnen singled and scored on a
Tony Gatti (Howell/Howell) double.
Cooper Fiore (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) was hit by a pitch and both runners scored when
Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) doubled for a 6-2 lead.
Stockton tallied two more runs to offset one by the home team in the 8-3 win.
Stephen DeMilio (Tuckerton/Pinelands) was outstanding on the hill, tossing seven innings, scattering eight hits, and striking out four without allowing a base on balls.
Dylan Sakele (Rumson/Rumson-Fair Haven) finished up the final two innings.
The nightcap saw the Raiders score four runs in the second inning before the Ospreys roared back. 10 runs in the next four innings gave the Osprey a commanding 10-4 margin. The big stanza was the sixth as Stockton scored six times. A walk and error and a fielder's choice loaded the bases. Nitti knocked in a pair with a single, a balk and RBI by Elder, Bresnen and Ford pushed Stockton ahead.
The visitors put the game away with a five-spot in the eighth inning, the big blow coming on a two-RBI hit by Bresnen in the 15-5 rout.
Alfonso Lombardi (Wayne/Cedra Grove) was the recipient of the offense throwing six strong innings, and fanning three hitters in his second win of the year.
Kyle Cipolla (Westwood/Westwood) finished up with three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits in earning his second save of the season.
Gatti added four hits and four runs on the day with Avagnano scoring five times. Elder and Nitti both had three RBI on the day, as Stockton scored 23 runs with 22 hits.
Stockton will return home to play against Penn State Abington on Tuesday in a non-conference tilt. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 pm.
