NEWARK, NJ – Seniors Matt Connors and Patrick Reitemeyer tied the Rutgers-Newark record for career hits in a 19-11 win over Lehman College on a cold, rainy day in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Connors dropped down a bunt single in the second inning to reach 195 hits while Reitemeyer, who went three for three to catch Connors, stroked his third single of the day to lead off the fourth inning. The duo caught up with Brian Dena (1996-99) to help the Scarlet Raiders improve to 17-10 overall. Lehman fell to 5-19.

Reitmeyer made his R-N record 146th consecutive start -- 143 of them as half of the double-play tandem with Connors.  Connors, who missed his first career game following a should injury suffered against New Jersey City, tied the previous record of 144 starts held by Dave Sica (2003-06).

Connors drew a first inning walk to bring him to within on of the R-N career record of 120 set by Brian Trapani (2000-03).  He also swiped three bases to run his season total to 21 -- which is the fourth best in the R-N books and pushes his school career record to 63.

Rutgers-Newark tallied nine runs on just four hits while taking advantage of six walks during the first inning on its way to an 18-4 lead after four innings. Raider head coach Mark Rizzi used 16 position players and four pitchers in the runaway – pulling Connors, Reitemeyer and six other starters in the bottom of the bottom of the fourth.

Sophomore Tyler Kwiatek picked up the win by going just 3-2/3 innings. He gave up four runs on four hits while striking out three and walking four. Junior Ricky Tier and freshmen Robert Pezzuti and Lou Karcanes closed out the victory.

Junior third baseman Tim Miller and senior rightfielder Michael Cassese had two hits apiece as the Raiders equaled the Lightning with a dozen hits.

In the first inning outburst, junior first baseman Chris Ballester ripped a two-run double to right centerfield while Cassese added a two-run single through the middle as Rutgers-Newark scored seven runs before Lehman could record an out.

Miller, who drew two walks, delivered a two-run triple into the rightfield corner to spark a five-run fourth inning.

Rutgers-Newark visits DeSales University on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. non-conference game.