Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (17-16, 6-8 NJAC) swept a key doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, by scores of 8-4 and 10-5 over New Jersey City University (10-22-1, 1-13 NJAC).
Joe Gmitter (Hamilton/Steinert) led the offense with six hits on the day.
Stockton took an early lead in game one, scoring five runs in the first two frames, with four coming in the second inning.
Nick Avagnano (Paramus/Paramus) blasted his fourth homer of the season, with
Chris Galasso (Matawan/Matawan),
Michael Antonucci (Manasquan/Manasquan) and
Jordan Nitti (Hamilton/Steinert) also driving in runs.
The Gothic Knights would answer with four runs over the next two innings to close the gap to 6-4 Ospreys after four frames. Galasso sealed the win in the bottom of the eighth with a two-RBI hit to set the final score at 8-4.
Stephen DeMilio (Tuckerton/Pinelands) earned his fourth win with six innings of work and six strikeouts.
Kyle Cipolla (Westwood/Westwood) tossed the final three scoreless frames, without allowing a hit, for his first save of the year.
The home team swatted 15 hits in the nightcap, with six players getting two hits or more, led by Gmitter with four safeties. NJCU took a 5-3 lead heading to the bottom of the fifth when Stockton exploded for five runs to take an 8-5 lead.
Tucker Elder (Ewing/Ewing) walked, stole second, and scored on Nitti's 200th career hit, as he became the first Osprey to ever reach that milestone. An unearned run and RBI by Avagnano,
Cooper Fiore (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) and
Robbie Ford (Green twp./Newton) gave the home team the lead.
RBI by Avagnano and Gmitter the next stanza gave Stockton some insurance runs that held up in the 10-5 victory. Gmitter, Avagnano and Galasso all had three RBI on the day, with Galasso tying his career-high.
Danny Snyder (Mt. Laurel/Lenape), the second of four Stockton hurlers, earned his first win of the season with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings on the mound.
John Abrahamsen and Chris Rosario each had three hits on the day leading the Gothic Knights.
The Ospreys will travel to Madison, NJ on Tuesday to face FDU-Florham in the least non-conference game for the Ospreys. The game is scheduled for 3:30 pm.
