JERSEY CITY, NJ – Just when it looked like Rutgers-Newark had seized control of the game, New Jersey City erupted for eight runs in the sixth inning to stun the Scarlet Raiders, 9-8, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game. 

NJCU 9, Rutgers-Newark 8

After a two-run home run by senior first baseman Matt Lingo gave the Raiders (16-17, NJAC 6-6) a lead in the fifth, Rutgers-Newark collected four runs on four hits, two walks and a sacrifice fly in the sixth to take charge at 6-1. 

But sophomore starter Connor Medler, who entered the sixth with only two doubles and a walk allowed, gave up five hits to the six batters that he faced. Rookie reliever Justin Szablicki then was tagged for four hits and an RBI bunt to run the score to 9-6 before freshman Matt Larangera finally put out the fire. 

The Raiders got a run in the seventh and another in the eighth, but could not even the score. 

Sophomore rightfielder Chris Ballester tripled to lead off the seventh and scored on a single by junior second baseman Matt Connors with no one out. But Connors was left standing on third to end the inning. 

In the eighth, senior third baseman Joe Furnaguera was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and scored on a two-out single through the middle by sophomore catcher Anthony Palladino to trim the deficit to one. Reliever Alvin Carrasco got out of the jam with a fly ball, an infield grounder and a strikeout to kill the Raiders' final threat. 

Gothic Knight closer Tom Burke struck out the final two Raider batters after allowing a one-out single in the ninth to earn a save as NJCU improve to 13-19 overall and 2-11 in the NJAC. 

In the sixth, Ballester, who went two for three and scored twice, drew an inning-opening walk before Connors, junior centerfielder Michael DiCenso and junior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer followed with singles. A sacrifice fly by senior designated hitter Anthony Yeswita capped the four-run outburst. 

DiCenso went three for five to pace the Raiders' 11-hit attack.  Lingo was two for four with three RBIs while Connors also had a pair of hits.

It was the second NJAC loss in two days for Rutgers-Newark which hosts a crucial NJAC doubleheader against The College of New Jersey tomorrow beginning at noon at the Diamond Nation in Flemington.