Box Score
EWING, NJ – The College of New Jersey baseball team had a 4-2 victory over Rowan University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game on Thursday afternoon.
The Lions improve to 14-9 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The Profs have a 15-7 record with a 1-2 NJAC mark. Rowan is ranked ninth and 15th in this week’s D3baseball.com/National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Top 25 and the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball Polls respectively.
Right-hander Brendan Kelly (so. Butler, NJ/Butler) threw seven innings for the win. He (3-2) only allowed two earned runs on eight hits. Righty Mike Ham (sr. Sparta, NJ/Pope John XXIII) pitched one scoreless inning for his fifth save. Right-hander Andrew Lysy (fr. Allentown, NJ/Allentown) took the loss. He (3-1) gave up three earned runs on five hits in six innings.
TCNJ was led by designated hitter Jon Gabriel (jr. Orefield, PA/Parkland) with one hit (three at bats), two RBIs and one run scored. Catcher Mike Galeotafiore (sr. Brick, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) went two for four with one RBI and a double. Second baseman Scott Kelly (jr. West Windsor, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro N.), center fielder Ed Zakrzewski (sr. Three Bridges, NJ/Hunterdon Central Reg.) and left fielder Joe Dispoto (so. Nutley, NJ/Nutley) were all one for three with one run scored.
For Rowan, left fielder Nick Kreiger (fr. Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan) totaled four hits (four at bats) and one RBI. Right fielder Matt Hill (sr. Hamilton Square, NJ/Robbinsville) was two for four with one RBI and a double. Center fielder Felix Colarte (sr. North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) produced a triple and one run scored. Second baseman Brandon Winkler (sr. Glendora, NJ/Paul VI) scored once.
The Profs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Winkler walked and moved to second on Kreiger’s single. He advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and came home on Hill’s single to right field. The Lions went ahead, 2-1 in the sixth. Scott Kelly singled and stole second. After Gabriel was hit by a pitch, the runner’s went to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Kelly crossed the plate on a ground out. Galeotafiore ripped a single to left field knocking in Gabriel.
Rowan tied the game (2-2) with one run in the top of the seventh. Colarte drew a leadoff walk. He advanced to second on Winkler’s sacrifice hit. Kreiger followed with a single and Colarte scored. In the bottom half, Zakrzewski had a bunt single and he moved to second on a sacrifice. Dispoto followed with a single to center field and Zakrzewski went to third. Dispoto stole second base. Gabriel singled to left center field allowing Dispoto and Zakrzewski to come home.
The two teams meet again on Friday, April 7 in Glassboro, NJ at 3:30 p.m.
