MAHWAH, NJ – A pair of unearned runs lifted Ramapo College past Rutgers-Newark, 4-3, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game on Jeff Maund Field.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Sophomore righthander Michael Schneider (1-2) was the hard-luck loser despite giving up just five hits while striking out five and walking three in 6-1/3 innings. But a throwing error led to a run in the first inning for Ramapo (24-7, NJAC 7-5) and a fielding error allowed the winning run to score in the seventh to cap a two-run rally.

Rutgers-Newark tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the seventh when senior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer singled to lead off the inning and scored on a one-out single by junior third baseman Tim Miller.

The Raiders got on the board in the fifth when junior first baseman Chris Ballester singled through the left side of the infield, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Miller and scored on a single to left by junior designated hitter Mike Ciaramello to make it 1-1.

An eighth inning rally fell just short for Rutgers-Newark. Senior rightfielder Michael Cassese singled to lead off the inning, moved to second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a ground out to second. With two outs, senior second baseman Matt Connors drew his second walk of the day and stole second base. A wild pitch brought home Cassese and left Connors at third. But Ramapo pitcher Travis Zilg (6-2), who hurled a complete-game, coaxed a game-ending ground ball to shortstop.

Zilg scattered five hits while striking out five and walking three to match Schneider's numbers exactly.

Ramapo rightfielder Kevin Knox was the only player on either team with two hits.

Rutgers-Newark (19-11, NJAC 9-3) plays Kean University (27-5, NJAC 10-2) in Jim Hynes Stadium in Union, NJ, tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in a crucial late-season match up. The Raiders will be the home team in Kean's home park for the twinbill. Scheduling conflicts made Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium unavailable.