NEWARK, NJ – Freshman second baseman Matt Connors went four for five to pace a 16-hit Rutgers-Newark attack as the Scarlet Raiders downed the College of Staten Island, 11-1, in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

NCAA Statistics

Senior leftfielder Doug Ford pounded his eighth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth inning, while going three for three on the day. Sophomore designated hitter Anthony Yeswita had an RBI single in the three-run third inning and added a two-run double to centerfield in the five-run fifth. Senior first baseman Dan Zika went two for two with an RBI and three runs scored while freshman shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer also notched two hits with an RBI.

Rutgers-Newark (17-16-1) used five pitchers with starter Jack Winters picking up his fifth win of the season after going just three innings. Winters (5-3) yielded just one hit as the Raider staff combined to give up only five hits.

CSI (16-13) got four plus innings out of starter Daniel Gonzalez (Staten Island, NY/Farrell). The knuckleballer gave up singles to Connors and junior rightfielder Brian Gill ahead of Yeswita's double in the fourth before Zika made its four hits in a row to start the inning. Gonzalez plunked Ford, the next batter up, to earn his exit.

The Raider will take part in Media and Fan Appreciation Day for the Newark Bears at the stadium tomorrow night. Bears players will be available for autographs at the free admission event which features an exhibition game against the Scarlet Raiders beginning at 6 p.m.

Rutgers-Newark begins its push for one of six New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament berths on Thursday, hosting New Jersey City in the stadium at 3:30 p.m. The Raiders (NJAC 6-8) are in a battle with Richard Stockton and William Paterson for the final two tournament slots.

The Raiders visit Kean on Friday before hosting Ramapo on Saturday in a regular-season ending doubleheader. Seniors Ford, Zika and Thanos Iglesius will be honored prior to the noon start.