NEWARK, N.J. | The Rutgers University-Newark baseball team swept visiting New Jersey City University in a pair of thrilling New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchups at Weequahic Park on Senior Day, 9-8 and 12-10. The Scarlet Raiders improve to 14-17 (8-9 NJAC) while the Gothic Knights conclude their season at 14-20 (3-15 NJAC).

Rutgers-Newark honored its seven seniors in between the two games as Ryan Zucker, Luke Magliaro, Dominic Magliaro, Luis Rojas, Gerardo A. Reyes, Anthony Rosoline, and Casey Hanley played their final home contests in a Scarlet Raiders uniform.

The Raiders close out their regular season at Ramapo on Monday after the matchup was moved from Friday due to unplayable field conditions from the rain.

Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 9, NJCU 8
The visitors got on the board first in the opener, using three straight one-out hits to drive in a run and claim an early 1-0 lead in the first.

That would edge would not last long however, as the home side roared back in the bottom half of the frame. Zucker led off with a single through the left side before Connor Clare reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, driving the ball right under his glove. A wild pitch advanced both runners before Luke Magliaro cleared the bases, lifting a ball over the center field fence to make it 3-1 in favor of the Raiders.

R-N was not done in the innings as John Klimowich made it four consecutive Scarlet Raiders on base with a single. Following a steal and a passed ball, Klimowich scored on a fielder's choice when the first baseman came home on a grounder but Klimowich managed to acrobatically avoid the tag and extend the lead to 4-1.

NJCU got one back in the second, but the hosts responded immediately once again. Rutgers-Newark had a two-out rally started with a Luke Magliaro walk followed by a Klimowich working a base on balls. Dominic Magliaro was next and he turned on a 2-2 pitch, driving it over the shortstop's head into left to bring home his twin and restore a three-run advantage.

Unfortunately, the Gothic Knights would not back down as they poured in six runs in the fifth to take an 8-5 lead and knock starter Rosoline out of the contest.

The Raiders started to rally back in the sixth. Zucker worked a base on balls with one out before Luke Magliaro came through in a big way, blasting a two-out two-run shot to center as he cut the deficit to down to one run.

R-N got back in front in the seventh. Kevin Tamsula led the frame off with a single to center, setting the stage for pinch hitter Reyes. The senior was patient, working the Gothic Knights' reliever to a full count before turning on the payoff pitch and lifting it just over the left field fence for a huge two-run homer that made it 9-8.

David Vasquez served an important role in relief for the Raiders, coming in for Rosoline and working 2.1 shutout innings as he provided the bridge to Rojas in the ninth. The veteran hurler delivered, shutting the door for his first save of the season and securing the 9-8 victory.

Luke Magliaro led the way with a huge day offensively going 2-for-4 with three runs and five RBI, crushing two home runs. Zucker chipped in with a 2-for-4 afternoon including two runs while Reyes had a clutch pinch-hit two-run jack in his lone at bat. Vasquez (1-0) picked up the win for his work in relief.

Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 12, NJCU 10
In the second matchup, the Gothic Knights jumped on starter Hanley early to open up a 5-0 lead.

The Raiders got one back in the bottom of the second as Tamsula reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, advanced to second on a balk, and then came around to score when Reyes laced a double down the left field line.

After another NJCU run in the third, the home squad cut further into its deficit. Zucker began the rally with a single while Luke Magliaro walked and Klimowich added a base knock to load the bases. In a big spot with two outs, Tamsula delivered a bases clearing double into right-center that made it 6-4.

While the hosts threatened by loading the bases in the fourth on a pair of walks and a single, the visitors escaped the jam with no damage and then tacked on three more scores in the fifth and sixth to widen their advantage to 9-4.

Still, the Scarlet Raiders would not go down without a fight as the home team exploded for seven runs in the seventh to come all the way back and take an 11-9 lead. R-N began the frame with three straight hits including back-to-back triples to drive in two runs before an RBI groundout had the hosts within two. Consecutive doubles by Chris Suleski and Kyle Johnson made it a one-run game while the Raiders inched back in front when the catcher airmailed a dropped third strike that allowed two runners to score. Rutgers-Newark tacked on an insurance run when Klimowich was hit with the bases full.

The Gothic Knights halved the deficit in the eighth but Rojas came in with one out and runners on the corners to shut the rally down. Rojas got the first batter he faced to line out to short before striking out the next batter swinging to preserve the lead.

Rutgers-Newark extended its advantage back to two in the bottom half of the frame. Tamsula led off with a double down the left field line. After a pair of outs, it was Lisandro Ulerio who drove a single to the opposite field and brought home Tamsula to make it a 12-10 contest.

Rojas then returned to the mind to complete a five-out save, sitting the visitors down in order to complete the 12-10 win and sweep for the day.

Five different Raiders had multiple hits, led by Zucker who was 3-for-6 with two runs. Tamsula racked up a squad-best four RBI and added two runs while Klimowich chipped in with a pair of RBI and runs. Marcus James earned his first collegiate win after 2.1 innings of relief.