MAHWAH, NJ – Rutgers-Newark couldn't hold a 6-0 second-inning lead and a late rally fell a run short as darkness ended a 15-14 loss to Ramapo in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Jeff Maund Memorial Field.

Ramapo 15, Rutgers-Newark 14

Junior leftfielder Michael Cassese stroked a grand slam to center field and junior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer followed with solo shot to center as the Scarlet Raiders (8-14, NJAC 1-3) jumped out to a quick lead, but a dozen Roadrunner hits and seven Rutgers-Newark errors helped fuel a Ramapo comeback.

Ramapo (8-10, NJAC 2-4) exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the third, chasing Raider junior starter Ryan Williams who did not figure in the decision.

An RBI double by sophomore rightfielder Chris Ballester gave the Raiders a brief tie at 9-9 in the fourth, before the Roadrunners tacked on three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to move ahead 15-10.

With the sun literally setting on the Raiders' hopes in the seventh, Rutgers-Newark scratched out four runs on four walks, an RBI single by senior third baseman Joe Furnaguera and a Ramapo error to trim the final deficit to a run.

The marathon lasted three hours and 30 minutes.

Rutgers-Newark hosts Kean in an NJAC doubleheader in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m.