NEWARK, NJ –Rutgers-Newark rallied from behind twice to earn an 8-7 win over Richard Stockton in the second game of an New Jersey Athletic Conference doubleheader which secured home field advantage for next week's conference championship tournament opener. 

Richard Stockton 9, Rutgers-Newark 5          
Rutgers-Newark 8, Richard Stockton 7

Junior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer pounded a three-run home run to give the Scarlet Raiders the lead for good at 7-6 before senior third baseman Joe Furnaguera drove a triple into the right centerfield gap to plate senior designated hitter Anthony Yeswita with what proved to be the winning run.

The Ospreys (19-16, NJAC 9-9) punched their ticket to the six-team league championship with a 9-5 win in the opener behind the emergency pitching of sophomore righthander Zach Brebner. Brebner (2-5) replaced Richard Stockton ace Chris LaVoie after the first inning because of shoulder problems. After giving up three runs on five hits in the third inning, he settled in to pitch into the ninth inning. He struck out five and walked three while allowing just two more hits before giving way to junior John Lightbody after issuing a walk to start the ninth.

No. 3 seed Rutgers-Newark (22-18, NJAC 11-7) hosts The College of New Jersey in Riverfront Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the NJAC championship's opening round. General admission tickets are $5 with students (with proper I.D.), children and senior citizens paying $2 at the gate.  Tickets will go on sale at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Bears & Eagles Riverfrong Stadium.  Rutgers-Newark students presenting valid University I.D. at the gate will be admitted free of charge!

The winner of the Rutgers-Newark versus TCNJ game will take on the winner of the opening round game between No. 2 Kean and No. 5 Richard Stockton at the home of the highest seed.  The loser of the Raider-Lions plays the winner of the No. 1 Rowan versus No. 6 Montclair State at the home of the highest seed on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (Complete tournament bracket above.)