JERSEY CITY, NJ – Junior third baseman Joe Furnaguera's grand slam capped a seven-run explosion in the third inning as Rutgers-Newark cruised to a 7-1 win behind the five-hit pitching of senior lefthander Kevin Matawa. 

NCAA Box Score & Play-by-Play

The New Jersey Athletic Conference win guaranteed the Scarlet Raiders (19-13, NJAC 7-8) a winning season and kept Rutgers-Newark in the fray for one of six NJAC Championship Tournament berths.

Matawa (2-2) was superlative, going the distance while allowing just five singles and one walk while striking out three on a windy day at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex. He allowed only one run on two singles and a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.  It was the fourth complete game of his career.

After the Raiders had pushed across three runs on two singles, a fielder's choice and three walks against NJCU starter Stephen Montalbano, Furnaguera lofted a fly ball to left field which was jet streamed into his ninth home run of the season. Sophomore centerfielder Michael DiCenso and freshman leftfielder Chris Ballester singled to ignite the rally.

The Raiders host Kean at 5 p.m. on Friday in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on Senior Day. Seven fourth-year seniors will take their final bows before the home crowd in the key NJAC contest. Saturday, Rutgers-Newark caps its conference slate with a crucial doubleheader at Ramapo. An NJAC tournament berth will hang in the balance.