Box Score

NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark sophomore Andrew Nasti lost a pitchers' duel with The College of New Jersey senior Robert Schneider in a 3-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference decision in Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

In just his second career start, Nasti (1-1) limited the Lions (10-9, NJAC 3-0) to one run on five hits through the first five innings to keep the Scarlet Raiders (6-15, NJAC 1-2) in the fray before giving up two runs in the sixth.  Rutgers-Newark got four innings of shutout relief from Billy Taylor, Chris Nichols and Jonathan Dominguez. The trio limited the Lions to just two hits.

Schneider (1-2) pitched into the ninth inning before needing closing help from freshman right-hander William Worswick.  Schneider, who scattered eight hits while striking out four and walking just one, gave up a one-out single to freshman shortstop Brett Ryan ahead of a walk to pinch hitter Nick Gencarelli in the ninth.  Worswick earned his second save of the season by coaxing a pair of pop ups.

The Raiders scored their lone run in the sixth to make it 3-1 when freshman third baseman Brian Kokos ended up on second base following a throwing error by the TCNJ shortstop.  Sophomore designated hitter Graham Commesso singled to center field to bring him home with an unearned run.

TCNJ opened the scoring in the fourth with a lead-off single to left field by sophomore shortstop Anthony Cocuzza, a sacrifice bunt by catcher Garen Turner and a single to center by sophomore third baseman Michael Murray.

In the sixth, Turner opened the inning with a double into the left center field gap and scored on a single to center by junior first baseman Justin Ely which chased Nasti.  Taylor gave up a sacrifice fly to right field before getting out of the inning with a ground ball to shortstop and a strikeout.

Ryan, who earned his first starting assignment, Commesso and freshman centerfielder Ryan Macfarlane paced the Raiders' attack with two hits apiece.

Cocuzza and Ely each had a pair of singles to lead the Lions' nine-hit offense.  Turner's double was the only extra-base hit of the game.

Rutgers-Newark travels to Ewing on Friday at 3:30 p.m. to complete the home-and-away series before visiting New Jersey City on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. for an NJAC doubleheader.