NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark junior righthander Ryan Williams battled through a shaky start to post his first win of the season, 7-3, over New Jersey City in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. 

Rutgers-Newark 7, New Jersey City 3

Williams (1-4), who won his first seven decisions last spring, gave up two runs on a three hits in the first inning before settling in to scatter a total of a dozen hits while striking out three and walking no one in eight full innings.

Senior third baseman Joe Furnaguera paced the Scarlet Raiders' 9-hit attack by going three for four with a pair of doubles – including a 2-run double which capped a 3-run first inning for Rutgers-Newark (13-14, NJAC 4-3).

After freshman centerfielder Owen Harshaney stroked a solo home run in the fifth, Raider junior rightfielder Michael Cassese gave Williams some breathing room with a 3-run home over the rightfield wall in the sixth.

Junior designated hitter Michael Fiorentino and sophomore catcher Francisco Ramirez each went three for four the pace the Gothic Knight attack.

After sophomore second baseman Rob Gonzalez singled to lead off the game, Fiorentino delivered an RBI double to left centerfield before scoring on a single by Ramirez as NJCU seized the early lead.

The Raiders bounced right back as junior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer drove an RBI double into the rightfield corner before coming home with second baseman Matt Connors on Furaguera's line-drive double into the leftfield corner which made it 3-2.

Senior designated hitter Anthony Yeswita and Furnaguera had 1-out singles in the sixth before Cassese slugged his seventh home run of the season with two outs.

A 2-out double by freshman third baseman Brian Bustillo followed by an single through the middle of the infield by senior leftfielder Eddie Gonzalo brought home the Gothic Knights' final run in the seventh. Gonzalez and Gonzalo had two hits apiece.

Freshman righthander Matt Larangera hurled a scoreless ninth inning for Rutgers-Newark. 

The Raiders have now won five games in a row as well as seven of their last eight.

Rutgers-Newark hosts Montclair State at Riverfront Stadium while New Jersey City visits William Paterson for NJAC contests on Friday. Each game starts at 3:30 p.m.