NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark senior right-hander Ryan Williams gave his pitching coach the perfect wedding present, hurling a four-hit, complete-game shutout in a 2-0 ECAC Metro Championship semifinal win over Old Westbury in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Williams (4-4) struck out six and walked two as the Scarlet Raiders (23-19) downed the Panthers (23-20) to advance to Sunday's noon title showdowan in the stadium against Richard Stockton (21-17), a 4-1 winner over the College of Staten Island (23-19) in the second semifinal game.

Williams recorded his third complete game of the year and his first career complete-game shutout just hours before Raider pitching coach Adam DiLorenzo, the Rutgers-Newark career leader in appearances with 68 (2004-07), was to be wedded to former Rutgers-Newark women's soccer standout Jen Sanker. DiLorenzo was not present for the game!

The Raiders scored what proved to be the winning run almost immediately. Senior shortstop Patrick Reitemeyer led off the first with big hop single over the third baseman before junior third baseman Tim Miller drove a double into the right centerfield to plate the first run.

In the fourth inning, junior first baseman Chris Ballester reached on a fielder's choice, moved to second on a passed ball and scored an unearned run on a two-out single to right field by freshman designated hitter Kevin Olah.

Old Westbury twice threw out runners at the plate from the outfield to keep things close in a game which was played in two hours and eight minutes.

Old Westbury stranded runners at third in the first and second innings before Williams settled in to allow just two singles over the final seven innings.

Senior right fielder Michael Cassese was the only player in the game with two hits, going two for four as Panther starter Ryan Bresnahan (1-7) and reliever Marvin Rosario held the Raiders in check for most of the day. Bresnahan gave up just one earned run while striking out four, walking two and allowing seven hits in 5-1/3 innings. Rosario did not allow a hit while striking out four and walking two to complete the game.

Rutgers-Newark advances to the ECAC Metro title game for the first time since the Raiders claimed the title in 2006.