Mahwah, N.J. – Stockton University (12-25, 7-11 NJAC) finished up the 2026 season by splitting a doubleheader at Ramapo College (27-11, 12-6 NJAC). The Ospreys kept their NJAC playoff hopes alive with an 8-5 victory in the opener, but those hopes were dashed by a 6-3 setback in the nightcap.
Game 1:
Jimmy Casey (Newtown, Pa./Archbishop Wood) went 2-5 with four RBI, two runs and two stolen bases.
Matthew McCloskey (Cinnaminson/Cinnaminson),
Joe Gmitter (Hamilton/Steinert) and
Dom Vizzoni (Trenton/Notre Dame) notched two hits apiece, with McCloskey earning two RBI and Vizzoni scoring twice.
Casey was the spark plug in the first inning as he stroked a two-run single and stole home on the back end of a double steal for a 3-0 lead. After Ramapo tied it, Casey scored on an RBI double by
Nick Avagnano (Paramus/Paramus) to put Stockton on top 4-3.
Ramapo answered with two runs to pull ahead 5-4. Casey gave the Ospreys the lead back at 6-5 with a two-run single in the seventh and McCloskey added a two-run single in the eighth for the 8-5 triumph.
Tim Welsh (Allentown/Allentown) pitched five scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five batters for the pitching win.
Game 2:
Gmitter went 2-3 with a triple and a run. Avagnano went 2-4 with two runs and McCloskey also was 2-4 as the trio combined for six of Stockton's eight hits.
The game was tied 2-2 after three-and-a-half innings, with Gmitter and Avagnano scoring the Stockton runs. Ramapo took control of the game with two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth frames for a 6-2 count.
Avagnano scored again in the eighth inning, but the Ospreys were unable to mount a rally, and they fell 6-3. Stockton used three pitchers in the game, with
Justin Prekop (Hamilton/Notre Dame) tossing two scoreless innings with two hits allowed and two strikeouts.
Wrap-Up:
Despite a pitching staff decimated by injuries from the preseason until the end, Stockton won 12 games overall with a mixture of veterans and rookies plus a couple of players who had breakout seasons. The Ospreys remained in the hunt for an NJAC Tournament berth until the final game, finishing with seven victories in conference play.
